Income tax officials carried searches at the properties owned by senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu candidate EV Velu for the second consecutive day on Friday. The searches, Income Tax officials said, were based on “credible inputs of cash movement” during the campaign for the April 6 state election. 

At least 3.5 crore in cash have been seized from properties belonging to the politician so far, officials said.

Searches are also being held in a jewellery group in Chennai.

Tax officials have also seized Rs 5 crore during raids at premises of six financiers in Karur district, officials said.

On Thursday, Income tax officials conducted searches at over 10 locations including EV Velu’s home in Tiruvannamalai, his constituency. The 70-year-old is seeking re-election from the constituency.

The properties of the DMK leader were searched around the same time his party chief MK Stalin campaigned for him for the state election. 

Mr Velu is a five-time legislator and former state minister for Food. Mr Velu’s college, where Mr Stalin stayed last night, was also searched.

“Conducting searches in the room where DMK chief MK Stalin stayed shows their intention. Nothing has been seized. This won’t stop our victory,” DMK general secretary Duraimurugan said.

Tamil Nadu will vote for a new government next month and the results will be declared on May 2.