DVAC raids EV Velu's properties in disproportionate assets case
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's anti-corruption agency has raided 13 properties of DMK Chief Whip and former Public Works Minister EV Velu — one of the most senior opposition figures to face scrutiny since the Vijay government took power. The trigger: contractors who publicly alleged they paid bribes to secure PWD contracts. This is the new administration's starkest signal yet that its zero-tolerance pledge is more than rhetoric.
Key Takeaways
The DVAC searched 13 locations linked to former minister E.V.
Velu on 25 June in a disproportionate assets case.
Raids covered premises in Chennai's Alwarpet and Tiruvannamalai district.
Velu currently serves as DMK Chief Whip in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and held the Public Works and Highways portfolios in the previous government.
Contractors had publicly alleged they were forced to pay bribes to secure contracts from the Public Works and Highways Department .
Joseph Vijay had pledged a zero-tolerance approach to corruption ahead of the raids.
No official statement on evidence collected had been released; searches were ongoing at the time of writing.
The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday, 25 June conducted simultaneous searches across 13 locations linked to former Public Works and Highways Minister E.V. Velu, as part of a preliminary inquiry into alleged disproportionate assets and suspected irregularities in government contract awards during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) administration. The raids targeted premises in Chennai's Alwarpet neighbourhood and Velu's home district of Tiruvannamalai.
Who Is E.V. Velu
E.V. Velu currently serves as the DMK's Chief Whip in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. During the previous DMK government, he held the critical Public Works and Highways portfolios — departments that oversaw the execution of major infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and public buildings across the state.
What Triggered the Raids
According to sources, the DVAC action follows public allegations by a group of contractors who claimed they were compelled to pay bribes to secure contracts from the Public Works and Highways Department during the previous administration. The contractors reportedly levelled these accusations in recent interviews, prompting demands for a formal probe into the tendering process. Investigators are believed to be examining financial records, property documents, and other materials to determine whether irregularities occurred in contract awards.
What Officials Have Said
No official statement detailing the evidence collected or the specific offences under investigation had been released at the time of the searches. Officials confirmed the raids were ongoing. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had recently told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that his government would pursue a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and ensure stringent action against those found guilty of graft, regardless of political affiliation.
Political Significance
The raids carry considerable political weight, coming just weeks after a change of government in Tamil Nadu. The action is expected to sharpen the confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and the opposition DMK, which has consistently denied corruption allegations against its leaders. Notably, this is among the first high-profile anti-corruption actions targeting a senior DMK figure since the new administration took office.
What Happens Next
The searches were continuing at the time of writing, with further legal and political developments widely anticipated. The outcome of the DVAC inquiry is likely to set the tone for how aggressively the Vijay government pursues accountability against the previous regime — and whether other former ministers face similar scrutiny in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Even if the underlying allegations are credible. The contractor bribery claims were made publicly, giving the DVAC a legitimate entry point, but the speed of action against a senior DMK figure will invite scrutiny of whether the new administration is selectively deploying anti-corruption machinery. Chief Minister Vijay's zero-tolerance pledge now has a test case: if the DVAC inquiry is thorough, transparent, and followed by prosecution regardless of outcome, it builds institutional credibility. If it stalls or is quietly dropped, it will be remembered as a political raid, not a legal one.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the DVAC raid EV Velu's properties?
The DVAC raided 13 properties linked to EV Velu on 25 June as part of a preliminary inquiry into alleged disproportionate assets and suspected irregularities in government contract awards during the previous DMK government. The action followed public allegations by contractors who claimed they were forced to pay bribes to secure Public Works and Highways Department contracts.
How many locations were searched in the DVAC raids?
According to sources, the DVAC conducted simultaneous searches at 13 locations associated with EV Velu, covering premises in Chennai's Alwarpet area and his home district of Tiruvannamalai.
What is the political significance of the DVAC action?
The raids are among the first high-profile anti-corruption actions targeting a senior DMK figure since the TVK government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay came to power. They are expected to intensify the political confrontation between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK, which has denied corruption allegations against its leaders.
Has the government released any official statement on the raids?
No official statement detailing the evidence collected or the specific offences under investigation had been released at the time of the searches. The DVAC searches were still ongoing when reports were filed.
