india

Updated: Dec 01, 2015 20:15 IST

Income tax and enforcement sleuths on Tuesday raided the premises of several companies allegedly linked to the son of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram who termed the action a “malicious onslaught” on his family.

The raids were made in connection with the probe into the Aircel-Maxis deal, part of the overall 2G scam which is considered one of the country’s biggest corruption cases allegedly involving political leaders, government officials and business heads.

Sources said searches were carried out at the offices of the company, Advantage Strategic Consulting which is allegedly linked to Karti Chidambaram, the son of the Congress leader.

PTI quoted a senior income tax investigation department official as saying that “some searches” were carried out. He, however, did not give any details.

According to sources, offices of “certain companies”, including a private eye-care chain in which Karti allegedly had a stake, were also searched by the two agencies.

They said while the I-T had undertaken the action on charges of suspected tax evasion by these firms, the ED was part of the searches in connection with their investigation under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

Shortly after the raids began, Chidambaram accused the government of launching a “malicious onslaught” on his family.

“If the government wishes to target me, they should do so directly, not harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics,” he said in a statement.

“My family and I are quite prepared to face the malicious onslaught launched by the government,” Chidambaram added.

Chidambaram alleged that the “agenda of the government” was being implemented by an ED officer who had a pending dispute with the department when he was the minister.

(With inputs from PTI)