Chennai, Apr 5 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday

conducted raids at several locations, including at the premises of mining firm

VV Minerals, in connection with the Rs 5,832 crore mining scam in Tamil Nadu.

According to reports, the simultaneous searches, involving multiple teams, were

conducted at the premises of VV Minerals at its native southern Tirunelveli and

its head office in Chennai.

The company has long been involved in sand mining in the southern coastal

districts of the State.

The raids were also conducted at locations linked to family members of businessman

Vaikundarajan, the owner of VV Minerals.

The raids followed a directive from the Madras High Court which had ordered a CBI

probe in February this year.

The Court ordered transfer of the probe to the CBI into the massive alleged illegal

beach sand mining scam to the tune of Rs 5,832 crore in the coastal districts of

Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari.

The court directed the CBI to investigate the role of government officials and alleged

political nexus in the matter which could not be ruled out.

Sources said the raids, that lasted nearly 12 to 14 hours, have ended in Tirunelveli

late this evening during which several incriminating documents were said to be have

been recovered.

UNI GV 2130