Chennai, Apr 1 (IANS): A large amount of cash, neatly-packed in cartons and gunny bags, was found by Income Tax (IT) Department officials in a cement warehouse, owned by a DMK leader, in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district, an official said on Monday.

According to a senior IT department official, the cash was shifted from Kingston College belonging to Duraimurugan Educational Trust, Vellore to the cement warehouse of the DMK leader, considered close to party treasurer Duraimurugan, late on March 29.

The official said the cash was shifted due to the botched up operation by the state police and revenue authorities and was found on Monday morning in the cement warehouse by the IT investigation wing.

All the cash was stuffed in cartons and gunny bags neatly packed for distribution to division and ward wise, the official said.

Meanwhile, Duraimurugan and his son D.M. Kathir Anand, the DMK candidate for Vellore Lok Sabha constituency, have moved the Madras High Court to halt IT raids on their premises.

Two days back, the IT department raided the house of Duraimurugan in Vellore and seized cash amounting to Rs 10 lakh.

The college campus run by Duraimurugan's son was also searched by IT officials.

The IT raid was condemned by Duraimurugan as an act of political vendetta.

Meanwhile speaking to reporters here on Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said the IT searchers are done based on information received.

He said in Tamil Nadu, 328 kg of gold and cash amounting to about Rs 78 crore has been seized for want of sufficient proof.