Days after I-T Raid, Ex-TN chief secy Rama Mohana Rao hospitalised

Reports of Rao’s ill-health come days after I-T officials raided properties associated with him.

Police personnel outside the entrance of Tamil Nadu State Secretariat during the raid at the chamber of former Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao. (Photo: PTI)

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Rama Mohana Rao was admitted to Chennai’s Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre on Saturday, after he complained of chest pain.

According to reports, Rao has been admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

The development comes days after I-T officials raided eleven places, including Rao’s office, residence and other properties.

On Wednesday morning, the Income Tax Department conducted raids on several of his properties, his office at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, as well his Anna Nagar residence in Chennai. His son’s house was also raided.

Tax officials claimed that Rs 30 lakh in new currency notes, five kilograms of gold, and documents with details of undisclosed assets worth about Rs 5 crore were seized during the raids.

A day after the raids, Rao was replaced by Girija Vaidyanathan as TN Chief Secretary. She took over Rao’s other posts as well – that of Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative reforms.

Rao remains in service, but is currently without a posting. While speculation about his suspension have been making the rounds, an official decision is awaited.

The AIADMK lashed out against the BJP after the raids and termed the move as a ‘conspiracy’. The BJP, however, has denied all allegations.

According to reports, sand-mining tycoon Shekar Reddy’s arrest led to the raids at Rao’s properties.

(With inputs from TheNewsMinute)