SRM group's premises searched by Income Tax Department

Income tax authorities today conducted searches at educational institutions run by the Chennai-based SRM Group. Sources say officials are raiding 45 places in Tamil Nadu and outside the state to check if the institution has indulged in tax evasion.

A highly placed source told NDTV: "It is admission season at these colleges now; we received some information and based on that we've launched this operation." There has been no response from the SRM Group do far.

"The raids are being held in 40 locations across the state," said an official.

The SRM group is into diverse fields like medicine, electronics, hospitality, media and entertainment, transport, engineering construction, power and energy, publications and runs a university, besides having other institutions.

It also owns the Puthiaya Thalaimurai channel and magazines.

With inputs from agencies