Five stone quarries raided in Karur for massive tax evasion

The raid was conducted after the IT department detected tax evasion by Ponnusamy, the quarry owner. A team of 20 taxmen from Tiruchy split into five teams and conducted a search on Karpaga Vinayaka Blue Metals in Sadayampalayam, Pon Vinayaka Blue Metals at Karudayampalayam, Thirumurugan Blue Metals at Kattumunnur, Bala Vinayaka Blue Metals and Murugan Blue Metals in Kurumbapatti.

Later, the team searched the house and office of Ponnusamy on Coimbatore road in Karur. It is said that Ponnnusamy was having business tie-up with two senior most leaders of the ruling party.

During the raids, officials seized several incriminating documents and have decided to continue the search on Friday also. Sources said that the quarry owner had been evading from remitting tax for the past few years. Further, he had reportedly altered the documents and had been hiding his income. Though unaccounted cash was also reportedly seized, the exact amount was not known immediately.

All activities were suspended in the quarries, which were raided by Income Tax officials, and the workers were also asked to leave the premises till further intimation.

It is said that there are over 100 stone quarries functioning in Thennilai, Paramathi, Pavithram, Punnam Chathiram regions in Karur district from which at least 1000 loads of blue metals in various sizes, including 1.50, .75 and .50 inches, were sent to different districts including Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Madurai and Erode every day. This apart, these quarries are also involved in the production M-sand and was making huge sums by selling it all over the state.