Chennai: Tamil Nadu's former chief secretary P Rama Mohana Rao on Tuesday, alleged that the IT raids and searches by CRPF at his office and residence is political vendetta and there is a threat to his life from the Modi government.

Addressing the media, Rama Mohana Rao claimed he was falsely implicated and removed from the CS post by the government of Tamil Nadu. He made an appearance before the media on Tuesday morning and stated that he could speak to the public earlier as he was placed under house arrest.

The IT official recovered Rs 112,322 from his house and about 42 tolas of gold belonging to his wife and daughter, he said. He rubbished rumours that there are secret chambers in his house to store cash and gold stating the store room is used to store old vessels and clothes. He also sought to clarify that he has no dealings with Sekhar Reddy, former TTD Board member and a ‘major contractor for government projects in Tamil Nadu’. “There are no financial or any dealings with Sekhar Reddy,” he said.

Regarding the IT raids itself, Rama Mohana Rao said, “the office of the Chief Secretary is a constitutional body. How can the CRPF be allowed into the CS office and conduct searches. If raids are to be conducted then I should be transferred first. My transfer can be ordered and executed within minutes by the State or Central government.”

Rama Mohana Rao listed on three points to buttress his claims that the government was wrong in removing him from the post. "I am still the chief secretary as the government is yet to serve me a copy of my suspension. There is no letter from the new appointee Girija Vaidyanathan regarding taking charge," he said.

CRPF entering the chief secretary office to conduct search warrant
Search warrant issued in the name of Rama Mohana Rao's son, who is not a government employee
No suspension letter issued by the state government till date

CRPF personnel at former chief secretary Rama Mohana Rao’s house during the IT raids.

In an angry and emotion-choked voice Rama Mohana Rao also questioned the jurisdiction of the CRPF in entering the state secretariat to search his offices. “Under whose authorisation did the CRPF enter my offices in the secretariat. Would they have dared to enter my office if the late chief minister Jayalalithaa was alive,” he questioned those present during the media briefing.

Terming the IT raids and finding of huge haul of cash and gold in his house as being planted by vested interests the former chief secretary claimed he is still the chief secretary of the government of Tamil Nadu.