Chennai, March 18 (NationPress) The Income Tax (I-T) Department disclosed to the Madras High Court on Wednesday that they have launched an independent inquiry regarding allegations of income concealment, misrepresentation, and illegal enrichment surrounding K. Navas Kani, the Member of Parliament from Ramanathapuram, representing the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

During the proceedings before a Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan, along with senior counsel A.P. Srinivas, stated that the department had already summoned the MP for questioning.

He mentioned that Navas Kani had appeared before the officials and provided certain documents in his defense, while also requesting additional time to submit further records. “The investigation will proceed, and actions will be taken in accordance with the law,” the ASG informed the court, suggesting that the writ petition could be resolved by noting these submissions.

However, the Bench observed that it had previously ordered the legislator to submit a counter-affidavit in response to the petition.

Consequently, the court directed the MP’s attorney to file the counter-affidavit by March 26, indicating that this response could aid the I-T Department in its ongoing investigation.

This case originates from a writ petition submitted by Tirunelveli-based attorney K. Venkatachalapathy, who has raised serious concerns regarding discrepancies in the assets declared by the MP in election affidavits for 2019 and 2024.

The petitioner asserts that the assets of Navas Kani, as well as those of his family, have seen a significant and disproportionate increase during his initial term in Parliament. The affidavit indicates that despite having limited known income sources—primarily as a company director and rental income from his wife—the MP’s family reported a net surplus of only Rs 5.74 lakh over five years while accumulating assets valued at Rs 20.84 crore.

The petitioner has claimed that such a drastic increase in wealth suggests the misuse of official authority and potential misappropriation of public funds intended for constituency development, leading to illegal enrichment.

He further informed the court that he had submitted a representation to the I-T Department on December 10, 2025, but due to perceived inaction, he felt compelled to seek judicial intervention.

Additionally, the petitioner revealed that another writ petition requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the same issues is currently pending.

The High Court is expected to revisit the matter after the MP submits his counter-affidavit later this month.