Investigation Launched Against Former Tamil Nadu Minister Over Alleged Corruption in Road Construction
Corruption Allegations Against Former Minister and Officials
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has initiated legal proceedings against E.V. Velu, the former highways minister of Tamil Nadu, along with nine officials from the department and a private construction firm, in connection with a multi-crore alleged road construction scam. The FIR filed by the DVAC's special investigation unit names Velu, several senior engineers from the highways department, divisional accountants, and the contractor company, Shankaranand Infra, based in Karur.
According to the FIR, the accused conspired during March 2022. They are alleged to have issued a tender worth ₹7 crore for the widening and quality enhancement of a road in Karur, from which ₹3.23 crore was paid directly to the private contractor without any actual work being performed on-site. The investigative agency also reported that a fraudulent payment of approximately ₹1.5 crore was made for two roads under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the rural roads department in Erode district.
Background of the Case
This case stems from a detailed complaint filed in April 2022 by Jayaram Venkatesan, the coordinator of the anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam. The complaint alleged widespread corruption and criminal misappropriation of government funds, prompting an initial investigation. Following the preliminary revelations of irregularities in 2022, a departmental inquiry confirmed the misconduct, leading to the suspension of nine officials from the Karur and Erode divisions.
Earlier in the day, the DVAC conducted raids at several locations linked to Velu in the state, prompting a sharp response from M.K. Stalin, the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Velu previously held the portfolios of public works, highways, and ports in Stalin's government.
Political Reactions
In a social media post, Stalin stated that Velu is fully cooperating with the authorities and will legally prove his innocence in court. He labeled the actions as a 'politically motivated move.' The former chief minister asserted, 'History shows that not a single case of corruption filed against us under political vendetta has ever been proven.' Emphasizing the party's resilience, he remarked, 'The DMK is not an organization that will bow down to such threats from the ruling party. We have faced far greater oppression and will overcome this as well.'