Rs 35 crore TVK MLA bribe case: LOC issued against Singapore-based suspect
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu Police have cast their net to Singapore, issuing a look out circular against businessman Lakshmana Perumal who allegedly helped orchestrate a Rs 35 crore bribe offer to a TVK MLA — and then tried to erase the digital trail from abroad. With the Madras High Court granting anticipatory bail to two key accused, the case's next chapter rests on forensic recovery and cross-border legal cooperation.
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu Police issued a look out circular (LOC) against Singapore -based businessman Lakshmana Perumal on 9 July .
Perumal is accused of playing a key role in the alleged conspiracy to bribe TVK Uthangarai MLA N.
Elaiyaraja with Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker.
He allegedly arranged deletion of CCTV footage and WhatsApp messages linked to the case while in Singapore.
The complaint was filed on 29 June ; a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and BNS .
The Madras High Court granted anticipatory bail to former minister V.
Senthil Balaji and his brother R.V.
Ashok Kumar on Wednesday.
Authorities are pursuing legal channels to bring Perumal back to India for questioning.
Tamil Nadu Police have issued a look out circular (LOC) against Singapore-based businessman Lakshmana Perumal in connection with the alleged Rs 35 crore bribery plot targeting a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) legislator, as investigators widen their probe into one of Tamil Nadu's most politically charged cases in recent months.
Why the LOC Was Issued
Investigators believe Lakshmana Perumal, currently believed to be residing in Singapore, played a significant role in the alleged conspiracy to persuade a TVK MLA to vote against the state government during a proposed Assembly resolution. The LOC directs immigration authorities to alert the investigating agency if he attempts to enter or exit India.
Authorities allege that while abroad, Lakshmana Perumal took active steps to destroy crucial digital evidence. Police claim he arranged for CCTV footage from a hotel to be deleted and also had WhatsApp conversations allegedly linked to negotiations with the legislator erased. Forensic experts are now examining available electronic records and communication data to reconstruct the sequence of events.
How the Case Began
The case traces back to a complaint filed on 29 June by TVK Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja with the Chennai Police Commissioner. In his complaint, Elaiyaraja alleged he was offered Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker during a proposed Assembly move and was subsequently threatened after he refused the offer.
The Triplicane police registered a case under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the investigation, police alleged that the prime accused, Thirunavukkarasu, had contacted Elaiyaraja at the alleged instance of former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his brother R.V. Ashok Kumar.
Court Relief for Key Accused
The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to V. Senthil Balaji and R.V. Ashok Kumar, directing both to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the investigating officer as and when required. The court order does not halt the probe, and police have made clear that the investigation is continuing at full pace.
What Investigators Are Doing Next
Authorities said steps are underway to secure Lakshmana Perumal's presence in India through appropriate legal channels. Police are simultaneously intensifying efforts to trace other accused persons whose roles remain under investigation. This is a developing case with multiple suspects yet to be formally questioned, and the next phase of the probe will hinge significantly on the forensic analysis of the recovered digital evidence.
Point of View
Which materially complicates the prosecution. The Madras High Court's anticipatory bail to Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar, while legally routine, reduces the pressure on two of the most politically prominent names in the case. The real evidentiary battle will be fought in the forensics lab: if investigators can reconstruct the deleted CCTV footage and WhatsApp threads, the case strengthens considerably; if not, the chain of evidence may prove difficult to establish in court. The political dimension — a sitting MLA alleging a bribe to destabilise a state government — deserves far more scrutiny than the procedural updates currently dominate.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rs 35 crore TVK MLA bribery case?
The case involves an alleged attempt to bribe TVK Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja with Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker during a proposed Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution. Elaiyaraja filed a complaint with the Chennai Police Commissioner on 29 June , after which a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Who is Lakshmana Perumal and why has an LOC been issued against him?
Lakshmana Perumal is a Singapore-based businessman whom Tamil Nadu Police suspect played a significant role in the alleged bribery conspiracy. A look out circular has been issued because he is believed to be abroad and is accused of attempting to destroy digital evidence, including hotel CCTV footage and WhatsApp conversations linked to the case.
What happened at the Madras High Court in this case?
The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his brother R.V. Ashok Kumar , directing them to cooperate with investigators and appear before the investigating officer as required. The probe, however, continues.
Who is the prime accused in the case?
Police have named Thirunavukkarasu as the prime accused, alleging he contacted MLA Elaiyaraja at the alleged instance of V. Senthil Balaji and R.V. Ashok Kumar . Several other accused, including Lakshmana Perumal, are yet to be formally questioned.
What steps are investigators taking next?
Tamil Nadu Police are pursuing appropriate legal channels to secure Lakshmana Perumal's return to India for questioning. Forensic experts are simultaneously analysing available digital evidence — electronic records and communication data — to establish the sequence of events in the alleged conspiracy.
