CB raids Anandhu's offices

THE ENFORCEMENT Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted a state-wide raid targeting offices and residences of those arraigned as accused in the multi-crore half-price scam that had hit thousands of victims.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @T'Puram

The raids were held in 12 locations, including the residence and office of Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust founder K N Ananda Kumar in Thiruvananthapuram, residence and offices of Anandhu Krishnan, who is said to be the orchestrator of the scam, in Ernakulam and Idukki, and residence of Congress leader Lali Vincent, an accused as well as legal advisor to Anandhu, at Ernakulam.

The raids were carried out to check whether money laundering was involved in the scam. The Crime Branch Special Investigation Team had earlier conducted inspections on certain premises owned by the accused and sealed them. The ED's involvement in the case is being keenly watched as there have been allegations that several political leaders, cutting across parties, have received financial favours from Anandhu.