IT seizes Rs 163 crore cash, 100 kg gold, opposition seeks TN CM's resignation
Chennai, July 17: Leaders of major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday demanded a multi-agency probe into the affairs of road contractors raided by Income Tax department in the state and also the resignation of Chief Minister K. Palaniswami.
The demand follows the IT department's seizure of unaccounted Rs 163 crore in cash and 100 kg of gold during searches carried out in the premises of Nagarajan Seyyadurai, promoter of SPK & Co, employees and associates.
The IT department also said that apart from the unaccounted assets, incriminating documents in the form of registers, diaries and loose sheets were also seized.
While Rs 24 lakh cash was seized from Seyyadurai's residence, the remaining cash and gold were kept at the places of his employees, associates and in cars.
The SPK group has interests in road contracts and other businesses.
DMK leader M.K. Stalin questioned the silence of Chief Minister Palaniswami after the IT search and seizure of huge amount of cash and gold from road building contractors who bid for state government road projects.
Stalin demanded the resignation of Palaniswami to ensure a proper investigation.
Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, sought the cancellation of all contracts given to companies promoted by Seyyadurai and the kin of Palaniswami who is also into road construction business.
Former Union Minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said the seizure of cash and gold clearly showed that these were not earned in a proper manner.
Ramadoss said the kin of the Chief Minister was too involved in road contracting business in Tamil Nadu.
He said there should be a multi-agency probe involving the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following the IT search and seizures.
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
