Everyone is equal before law: Meghwal on former TN chief secretary's claim

New Delhi [India], Dec. 27 (ANI): Reacting to former Tamil Nadu chief secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao's claims that he "was raided at gun point" without the permission of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Minister of State in Finance and Corporate Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday said laws apply equally to all citizens, adding that the former's post doesn't give him the authority to carry out loots. "Just because he was a chief secretary doesn't mean he has the freedom to loot. Everyone is equal before the law and if the chief secretary is involved in some illegal activity then he will be punished. He should think himself as a normal citizen," Meghwal told ANI. Addressing the media, Rao claimed that he was placed under 26 hour house arrest and added that the raids on his premises were carried out at gun point. He also criticised the Centre for usurping the sovereignty of the state government and allowing income officials raid his house without seeking the chief minister's permission. Asserting that he still holds the post of chief secretary of Tamil Nadu, Rao said, "This government has no guts to serve me the copy of a transfer order. I am the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu appointed by Amma." Rao also thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for supporting him. "I want to thank West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi for supporting my cause," he said. (ANI)