Income Tax raids back in Chennai, searches conducted at ETA, Buhari Group

Income tax investigation wing officials on Wednesday launched searches on the premises of Buhari Group and Gulf-based ETA Group of Companies in Chennai and other places following information on concealment of income by them.

The raids are happening in the wake of searches conducted at the house and offices of former Tamil Nadu chief secretary P Rama Mohana Rao and his son in Chennai and also at contractor Sekar Reddy's premises.

"In Chennai, the properties of industrialist and educationist B S Abdur Rehman, including his residence at Nungambakkam, his son-in-law Halith's place located at Khadar Nawaz Khan Road, premises of B S Abdur Rahman University and its corporate office on Moores Road, were targeted.

His Emirates Trading Agency (ETA) Group's companies located at Saligramam and that of Citi Center at Mylapore and Hyatt hotel, too, were raided. Overall, more than 75 premises of this and the Buhari Group offices too saw searches," said sources.

Buhari Group has interests in construction, power, trading, engineering, real estate and shipping. The group also owns a famous engineering college on the outskirts of Chennai.
ETA Group too has interests in various sectors. Its operations are spread across the country and abroad.

Income tax sources said that the raids are being carried out in Chennai, Hyderabad, Thoothukudi, Madurai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Further details are awaited.