Chennai: After 13-hour long raids and questioning for nearly seven hours at its office in a money laundering case, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), DMK heavyweight and Tamil
Nadu Higher Education Minister K.Ponmudy returned home.
Mr Ponmudy was questioned in connection with granting of mining licence (during his tenure as Minister in the previous DMK regime) registered during the AIADMK regime 13 years back, which chief Minister and DMK President was foisted against him.
An ED official said the Minister was not arrested and that he has been summoned for further questioning later today.
The ED started the searches since yesterday morning at the residence of the Minister and his son and Kallakurichi Lok Sabha MP GauthamSigamani in Chennai and villuppuram district during which several incriminating documents were said to be seized, including some investments made abroad.
After the raids, that lasted 13 hours in at least six locations, the Minister and his son were taken to the ED office where he was questioned for nearly seven hours.
He was taken to the ED office around 2030 hrs last night and after extensive questioning based on the documents and evidences seized during the searches, he was allowed to proceed to his residence at around 0400 hrs today morning.
However, the ED has asked him to appear before it today for further questioning.
Mr Ponmudy has now reached his residence, where a large number of DMK cadres have assembled to greet him. Meanwhile, DMK advocates alleged that the Minister was ill-treated during the interrogation.
Mr Ponmudy was the second DMk Minister to come under the ED scanner after former Electricity Minister V.Senthilbalaji, who was arrested and remanded in custody in a money laundering case.
Mr Balaji was now a Minister without portfolio.
