DVAC Conducts Searches at AIADMK MLA Amman Arjunan's Properties

Synopsis

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has conducted searches at the residence and office of AIADMK MLA Amman K. Arjunan in Chennai. The raids are linked to allegations of wealth accumulation beyond known income sources during his previous tenure. This action is part of ongoing investigations aimed at curbing corruption among political leaders.

Key Takeaways

DVAC conducted raids at MLA Amman Arjunan's premises.
Raids were based on allegations of disproportionate wealth.
This follows similar actions against other AIADMK leaders.
Previous cases include C. Vijayabaskar and S.P. Velumani.
Corruption allegations are rampant in Tamil Nadu politics.

Chennai, Feb 25 (NationPress) The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) of Tamil Nadu was busy on Tuesday with searches at the residence and office of opposition AIADMK's Coimbatore North MLA Amman K. Arjunan.

The raids commenced in the morning and were prompted by a case against him for purportedly accumulating wealth beyond his known sources of income during his prior term. A contingent of eight DVAC officials, supported by armed police personnel for safety, was scrutinizing his property and workplace.

This is not the first instance of DVAC's action against AIADMK leaders since the DMK took office in 2021. Previously, raids were executed at the home of former state Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and former Local Administration Minister S.P. Velumani in separate corruption investigations.

Searches were carried out at 13 sites linked to Vijayabaskar, including his residence, due to a complaint concerning corruption. Similarly, DVAC officials conducted raids at 10 locations related to S.P. Velumani in another corruption case.

The DVAC has initiated a case against former minister and AIADMK legislator S.P. Velumani for alleged corruption in the awarding of stormwater drain (SWD) and roadwork contracts by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in 2018. This represents the fourth FIR lodged against Velumani by the state's anti-corruption agency since the DMK government assumed power in 2021.

Currently serving as AIADMK’s Organising Secretary, Velumani was the Minister for Local Administration from 2014 to 2021. The FIR stems from complaints made by Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of the NGO Arappor Iyakkam.

Moreover, the DVAC has filed a charge sheet in the case involving disproportionate assets against former Minister C. Vijayabaskar and his wife, Ramya. The charge sheet is based on a case registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Allegations state that Vijayabaskar and his spouse amassed wealth in their names and those of their family members totaling Rs 35.79 crore, which was deemed disproportionate to their known income sources.

Additionally, the DVAC has conducted earlier raids and registered a case against AIADMK leader and former T. Nagar MLA B. Sathyanarayanan regarding a case of disproportionate assets. The investigating agency claims that Sathyanarayanan accumulated wealth amounting to Rs 2.64 crore, which was found to be disproportionate to his known income sources.