ED raids premises of ‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin and son-in-law Aadhav Arjuna in Coimbatore and Chennai

ED launches fresh raids against ‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin

Officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have launched raids on the premises of Santiago Martin, widely known as the ‘Lottery King‘, and his son-in-law Aadhav Arjuna. The raids are being conducted at locations in Coimbatore and Chennai, marking the latest development in the ongoing scrutiny of Martin’s financial and business dealings.

Santiago Martin has long been under the radar of various Central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department.

Aadhav Arjuna, who serves as the Deputy General Secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)—a prominent Dalit political party in Tamil Nadu—has attracted attention in recent months for his outspoken criticism of the ruling DMK party, despite VCK being part of the opposition INDIA alliance in the state.

The political influence of Martin’s family is significant. His wife, Leema Rose, is a member of the Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while their son, Charles Jose, is a BJP member. Arjuna’s position in the VCK adds another layer to the family’s political network.

His company, Future Gaming, and Hotel Services has been a major player in political funding, contributing Rs.1,368 crore in electoral bonds, making it one of the largest donors to political parties in India. Data from the Election Commission reveals that both the BJP and DMK have been primary beneficiaries of Martin’s contributions, with 77% of the DMK’s total donations linked to his firm.

In March 2022, the ED took action against Martin’s company, attaching Rs.411 crore from the bank accounts of Future Gaming and other associated firms. A prosecution complaint was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), marking a significant step in the ongoing investigation into his financial activities.

Martin’s lottery empire faced major setbacks in Tamil Nadu after the AIADMK government, under then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, banned lotteries in 2003, citing their detrimental effects on the poor. As a result, Martin was forced to shift his operations outside the state. Further complications arose in 2011 when Martin faced land-grabbing charges during the AIADMK regime and spent eight months in jail in Vellore. Despite these legal challenges, several cases against him remain pending.

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