Sat May 17 09:52:28 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Tamil Nadu Minister S. Muthusamy condemned the recent searches by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on the premises of government officials, including the Managing Director of TASMAC, in connection to an alleged ₹1,000-crore liquor scam. He alleges the searches are politically motivated, constitute harassment, and have yielded no evidence. He maintains the state government will provide legal support to the officials involved.

**News Article:**

**Tamil Nadu Minister Denounces ED Raids in Alleged Liquor Scam, Cites “Political Vendetta”**

**CHENNAI, May 17, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Prohibition, and Excise S. Muthusamy has strongly condemned the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) for its recent searches targeting government officials in connection with an alleged ₹1,000-crore liquor scam within the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).

In a statement released today, Mr. Muthusamy stated that the ED conducted searches on the premises of TASMAC Managing Director S. Visakan and other senior officials yesterday, May 16th. He asserted that the raids yielded no evidence and accused the ED of harassing the officials, further claiming the agency was violating Supreme Court guidelines and acting with “political vendetta.”

The Minister also alleged that previous ED searches on TASMAC, conducted last month based on cases filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption during the previous AIADMK administration, were similarly motivated to falsely portray irregularities occurring under the current DMK regime.

“No evidence was found, but the ED spread imaginary news that irregularities to the tune of ₹1,000 crore was unearthed in TASMAC,” Mr. Muthusamy stated. “To justify this false news, the ED is continuously harassing TASMAC officials.”

Mr. Muthusamy affirmed that the Tamil Nadu government would take the necessary legal measures to support the officials targeted by the ED’s investigation. The controversy surrounding the alleged scam and the ED’s actions are likely to escalate tensions between the state and central governments.

Read More