The raids began at 7 am and would continue till evening, officials said in Chennai.

The officials also conducted raids at the residence and business establishments of former AIADMK minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan at Tuticorin.

The raids, the reason for which were yet to be ascertained, came as a surprise even to the police as the DVAC officials kept their plan a secret till they began the operation.

These were the first raids conducted by the DVAC after the DMK government took office in May 2005.