Popular hotel restaurant chains, including Hotel Saravana Bhavan, were searched by the officials of the Income Tax department for possible tax evasion. It is learnt that the search, which started at around 8 am, was also conducted at Hot Breads, Anjappar and Grand Sweets and Snacks.

Over 100 IT officials were involved in the search on 32 premises, mostly corporate offices across Chennai, sources said without disclosing any further information.

Business as usual

At the restaurants of these chains, it was business as usual.

At Saravana Bhavan in Alandhur and Anna Salai, employees were tight-lipped when asked about the IT search. “We don’t know sir,” they said.

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