Chennai, Aug 16 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday searched multiple premises linked to Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader I Periyasamy and his MLA son as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.

The raids were undertaken in Chennai and Dindigul under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The premises of I P Sentilkumar, the son of the 72-year-old minister for rural development, panchayats and panchayat unions, were also searched, according to the sources. Periyasamy represents the Athoor assembly constituency in Dindigul district.

Reacting to the ED action, senior DMK leader Kanimozhi said central agencies like the Income Tax Department and the ED have been "weaponised" by the BJP against the opposition.

"The minister (Periyasamy) has overcome so many challenges and stands firm with DMK. No amount of intimidation will threaten our workers and leaders," she told reporters in Tuticorin.

The money laundering investigation stems from an April order of the Madras High Court, which directed a special court in Dindigul to frame charges against Periyasamy and his family members in connection with a Rs 2.1 crore "disproportionate" assets case.

The order came in response to some criminal revision petitions filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), challenging a special court order discharging Periyasamy and his family members from the case.

The HC also directed the special court to conduct the trial on a day-to-day basis and complete it within six months.

The prosecution's case was that Periyasamy had amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 2.1 crore in his name and in the names of his wife, P Suseela, and sons P Sentilkumar and P Prabhu, disproportionate to his known sources of income when he was a minister between 2006 and 2010. PTI NES SA NSD NSD

Prevention of Money Laundering Act probe prompts searches in politician-linked disproportionate assets investigation and broadens inquiry into family-linked holdings Searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act were carried out at premises linked to a state minister and his son as part of a money laundering inquiry connected to a disproportionate assets allegation. The action follows a higher court direction to frame charges and to conduct the trial on an expedited, day-to-day basis after earlier discharge orders were challenged, prompting renewed investigative measures into assets held in the names of the minister and family members.