The Enforcement Bureau (ED) accused Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) of trying to form a barrier in a legal investigation into potential money laundering activities involving TASMAC officials and certain private entities.
In a detailed counter affidavit filed with judges of the Judiciary Court filed Tuesday with Judges SM Subramaniam and Judges K. Rajasekar, ED asked about the maintainability of the two writ petitions filed by TASMAC to declare the recent search and seizure operations illegally made its headquarters.
ED noted that TAMSAC also attempts to restrict ED from harassing its employees under the guise of investigation and wonders how the company filed such written petitions when no individual employee claims harassment or human rights violations of any kind.
Following other attorneys, SV Raju and AR.L. Sundaresan, with the assistance of ED Special Attorney N. Ramesh, reported that the counter affidavit had been served to defense attorney PS Raman, and the judge awarded time until April 8, when TAMSAC re-joined it to the counter.
The 47-page counter-appointment signed by ED Assistant Director Vikas Kumar says that TASMAC is a state-owned company with a large turnover of turnover per year dealing with large amounts of public funds, so an investigation into money laundering costs can serve the greater public interest.
The official told the court that a law enforcement case information report (ECIR) was registered under multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) that the Bureau of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has booked Tasmac officials and employees on allegations of corruption and misconduct.
FIR has found uncalculated cash in liquor retail vending machine shops and TAMSAC area manager’s office, selling liquor at a higher price, receiving bribes for transfers and appointments, chaotic deals between Tasmac officials and breweries to supply liquor, etc.
The official said that since the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 is a planned crime under the Money Laundering Act of 2022 (PMLA), the emergency department conducted a search and seizure operation at the TASMAC headquarters in Egmore, Chennai between 6 and 8 March 2025.
It was pointed out that the entire operation was conducted in the presence of two independent witnesses of the National Bank of India employees; Ed said the operation was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner without exerting any coercion, threats, inducements, commitments or any other external pressure on Tasmac staff.
Mr. Kumar also argued that search operations cannot be declared illegal simply because they were extended by three days. He said all women employees have the option to go home before nightfall. However, Tasmack General Manager (Government) Sangeza leans on his own free will.
The official also said Ms. Sangeetha, Managing Director of TASMAC S. Visakan and Deputy General Manager (Buy and Sale) M. Jothi Shankar M. Jothi Shankar, whose statements were recorded during the search operation, wrote personal letters to ED on March 17 and 18 to seek time for submission of certain documents.
“In these letters, the three Tasmack officials did not have any irregularity in the search process. They have not withdrawn statements recorded under PMLA Article 17… The above letters sent by the three officials were not subject to coercion, enduring charges, breach of infringement of an individual, breach of liability for an existing application, which demonstrated liability for the application, which had liable for the basis of pry. Ed said: “The fundamental rights of an individual are hindsight and abuse of the legal process.” ”
The investigative agency also asserted that the entire search and seizure process was conducted in accordance with the law and provided sufficient rest for TAMSAC employees without anyone recording any statements of more than two and a half hours.
Since the Tamil Nadu government filed a third written petition with Tasmac and filed an application to amend its prayers in that petition, Sundaresan agreed to submit an affidavit to the amendment petition by April 8.
publishing – April 1, 2025 04:38 pm ist
