I-T search at Sasikala's two rooms, Jaya PA office in Poes Garden house

TNN | Updated: Nov 18, 2017, 06:53 IST

 

 

Jaya TV CEO Vivek Jayaraman visits Veda Nilayam late on Friday 

 

CHENNAI: During a late night search at the Poes Garden house of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday, officials of the income tax investigation wing seized a laptop, a desktop and a few pen-drives from two rooms used by jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, according to sources.

The search operation, which also covered a room on the premises used by Jaya's personal assistant Poongundran, was carried out in the presence of Vivek Jayaraman, CEO of Jaya TV and nephew of V K Sasikala, say sources.

As news of the search operation spread, AIADMK workers started arriving at the late leader's residence in droves. At least a dozen supporters of TTV Dhinakaran were detained by police after one of them threatened self-immolation and a few of them squatted on the road raising slogans against the BJP-led central government.

In a tweet, T T V Dhinakaran called the search operation a betrayal to Jayalalithaa's spirit and wondered as to 'how far will Edappadi Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneerselvam - who have pawned AIADMK - will go to save their government and position.' Initial reports quoting sources said I-T sleuths were carrying out searches at the room of Jayalalithaa's personal assistant S Poongundran.

After 1996, when the state vigilance department conducted a search at Veda Nilayam, this is the first time a search is being conducted at Jayalalithaa's residence.