As the minister’s residence was locked, officials had to break open the door. Raids are also being conducted on the office of Swetha Granites in Mankammathota, owned by the Minister.

Gangula Kamalakar, who was in Dubai at the time of raids, returned to Hyderabad tonight and reached his residence in Karimnagar.

Gangula Kamalakar said, “We have granite companies/bodies. Since last 31 years, we are into the granite business. Several people have complained stating that we are looting the granite industry, we welcomed it. We have said that they (agencies) should investigate what is right. We are open and that is the reason today the agency has checked everything, they have conducted raids in granite companies.”

“I was in Dubai at that time they called me, through video call I told them to open all the lockers, my residence was locked and there were no keys. I told them (officials) to break the lock and I was on call with them at that time. At my residence, ED officials and my PA was there. Through video call I told them how to open lockers, they (officials) said there are no keys to enter the residence, I only told them to open the door by breaking the lock,” he added.

“They have checked everything and saw all the documents, we will let the agencies investigate, we are cooperating with the government,” Gangula Kamalakar said.

“ED entered into this matter to investigate whether any Hawala money was brought from abroad. I-T entered into the matter to investigate whether any money is illegally stored. They have searched all the residences. How much cash was seized and how many properties were found, only they know it.”

Last month, Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao alleged that the BJP-led Centre was using central law enforcement agencies like its “hunting dogs” as part of its vendetta politics.

“How many BJP leaders and how many non-BJP leaders have been raided by ED, CBI and I-T (income tax) officials in the last eight years? How do corrupt leaders become clean after joining the BJP? We know their politics. We will face them,” the working president of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) had said.