Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao Removed Day After Income Tax Raids

Chennai: Tamil Nadu's topmost official, Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, has been removed a day after Income Tax raids at his home and office in Chennai.

He has been replaced by senior bureaucrat Girija Vaidhyanathan.

Mr Rao's home in city's posh Anna Nagar locality, his office and several other locations were searched for nearly 24 hours. The homes of his son Vivek Rao and some relatives in Chennai and Chittoor in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh were also raided.

Income Tax officials claim to have recovered nearly Rs. 30 lakh in cash and five kilograms of gold during raids.

Taxmen searched the office of Mr Rao's son Vivek, who allegedly has business links with Tamil Nadu businessmen J Sekhar Reddy, arrested on Wednesday in a case related to unaccounted money and tax evasion.

Earlier this month, tax officials found over 100 kg of gold, Rs. 96 crore in banned 500-and 1,000-rupee notes and 34 crore in new currency notes at the homes of Mr Reddy and two more businessmen.

Documents found at Mr Reddy's house may have led to the raids on Wednesday, say sources.

The new Chief Secretary, Ms Vaidynathan, was additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration. She will also hold additional charge as of Vigilance and Administrative Reforms like Mr Rao.