ED Intensifies Crackdown with Raids Across Chennai and Kancheepuram in Major NHAI–SIPCOT Land Scam Probe

The Enforcement Directorate intensified its investigation into a major land fraud case on Wednesday by launching extensive searches across Chennai and the Kancheepuram district. Officials carried out coordinated raids at approximately 15 locations as part of an ongoing money laundering probe connected to the misuse of Open Space Reservation land documents for National Highways Authority of India and SIPCOT Limited acquisitions.

According to officials, the searches were conducted at the residences and business premises of several individuals suspected to be involved in creating and circulating forged land documents. Locations included Sowcarpet, Kilpauk, KK Nagar, Saidapet, MGR Nagar, Ambattur, and key pockets in Kancheepuram. The premises were secured by CRPF personnel while ED teams examined documents, digital storage devices, and financial records.

One of the most notable operations took place at the Chaitanya apartment complex in Kilpauk, where officers inspected the residence of iron merchant Nirmal Kumar. Another important search was carried out at Srinagar Colony in Saidapet at the house of a PWD contractor named Kalaichelvan. In Ambattur, the apartment of Prakash in Thiruvengada Nagar was also raided as part of the same coordinated effort.

The investigation originates from two cases registered by the Tamil Nadu police in 2022 and 2023. These cases revealed fraudulent registration of OSR lands using forged documents that transferred ownership to private individuals. In one instance, the then Sriperumbudur tahsildar was implicated for facilitating the illegal transfer of OSR-designated land parcels. These lands were later acquired by NHAI for a major highway widening project, enabling fake landholders to claim compensation amounting to hundreds of crores.

ED officials stated that the current searches aim to collect crucial material evidence to support the expanding probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. They also indicated that further details would emerge once the seized materials are analysed.

This operation adds to a series of high-profile actions carried out by the ED in Tamil Nadu in recent months, targeting cases linked to real estate, construction, mining, and financial irregularities.