Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out searches at 34 locations including 8 sand mining yards

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out searches at 34 locations including 8 sand
mining yards on 12/09/2023 in 6 districts of Tamil Nadu, residential and business premises of
various persons including S. Ramachandran, K. Rathinam, Karikalan and their accomplices,
Auditor P. Shanmugaraj and officials of Water Resources Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu in
illegal sand mining case.
ED initiated investigation on basis of FIRs registered in various parts of Tamil Nadu
disclosing allegations about huge illegal mining of river sand and gravel quarry etc. Numerous
complaints have been registered with Law Enforcement Agencies, highlighting illegal mining
practices rampant across Tamil Nadu.

During the search incriminating documents including diaries, bogus fake sale receipts
with counterfeit QR code were found suggestive of illegal sand sales. Evidences of bogus
transactions, benami companies were found. During the search, Rs. 12.82 Crore was put under
freeze and unaccounted cash for Rs. 2.33 Crore was seized along with gold weighing 1024.6
grams worth Rs 56.86 Lakh.
Further investigation is under progress.