TN BJP chief Nagenthran receives chargesheet in ₹3.99 cr cash seizure case
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran walked into a Chennai court on Thursday to receive a chargesheet in a ₹3.99 crore cash seizure case tied to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls — a case involving 13 accused, allegations of voter bribery, and a CB-CID probe that Nagenthran insists is politically driven.
Key Takeaways
Nainar Nagenthran , Tamil Nadu BJP President, received the chargesheet at George Town Magistrate Court, Chennai on 16 July .
The case stems from the seizure of ₹3.99 crore cash from the Nellai Express at Tambaram railway station on 6 April 2024 .
Prosecution alleges the cash was meant for voter distribution in Tirunelveli on Nagenthran's instructions during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections .
The CB-CID chargesheet names 13 accused , including Nagenthran and former BJP organising secretary Kesava Vinayagam .
Nagenthran called the case politically motivated and said he will contest it legally; next hearing is on 30 July .
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nainar Nagenthran appeared before the George Town Magistrate Court in Chennai on Thursday, 16 July, to receive a copy of the chargesheet filed against him in the alleged ₹3.99-crore cash seizure case linked to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The court has fixed 30 July as the next date of hearing and directed all accused to appear in person.
Background: The April 2024 Cash Seizure
The case originates from an incident on 6 April 2024, when officials of the Election Commission of India's Flying Squad intercepted three men aboard the Nellai Express at Tambaram railway station. Authorities recovered ₹3.99 crore in cash from the passengers during the inspection.
According to the prosecution, the three men allegedly told officials that the money was being transported to Tirunelveli for distribution to voters during the parliamentary election campaign, and that they were acting on instructions from Nagenthran, who was then the BJP candidate from the Tirunelveli Lok Sabha constituency. The Flying Squad alerted Tambaram police, who registered a criminal case and arrested all three individuals.
Who Are the Accused
One of the three arrested, S. Sathish, was employed as manager of Blue Diamond Hotel in Purasawalkam — a business owned by Nagenthran — and was also associated with the BJP. The other two accused were identified as S. Naveen and S. Perumal. The seized cash was subsequently handed over to the jurisdictional tahsildar after the Income Tax Department was informed.
The investigation was later transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) for a detailed probe. After completing its inquiry, the CB-CID filed a chargesheet against 13 people, including Nagenthran and former BJP organising secretary Kesava Vinayagam, alleging their involvement in the case.
Nagenthran's Response Outside Court
Speaking to reporters outside the court on Thursday, Nagenthran maintained that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated. He alleged the case was registered during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government with political intent, and said he had expected the present government to withdraw the proceedings. He noted that no such decision had been taken, and reiterated that he would contest the case through the legal process.
What Happens Next
All 13 accused, including Nagenthran, are required to appear before the George Town Magistrate Court on 30 July for the next round of proceedings. The case is being closely watched as it involves a sitting state BJP president and carries implications for the party's standing in Tamil Nadu ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
But it does not address the core allegation: that ₹3.99 crore was physically intercepted on a train, allegedly en route to voters. The CB-CID's expansion of the chargesheet to 13 accused signals a prosecution that has deepened, not stalled. How the BJP nationally chooses to respond — or not respond — will be as telling as the legal proceedings themselves.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ₹3.99 crore cash seizure case against Nainar Nagenthran?
It is a criminal case arising from the seizure of ₹3.99 crore in cash from three men aboard the Nellai Express at Tambaram railway station on 6 April 2024. Prosecutors allege the money was being transported to Tirunelveli for voter distribution during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, on the instructions of Nagenthran, who was then the BJP candidate from Tirunelveli.
Who are the other accused in the chargesheet?
The CB-CID chargesheet names 13 people in total, including Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthran and former BJP organising secretary Kesava Vinayagam. The three men originally arrested were S. Sathish, S. Naveen, and S. Perumal.
When is the next court hearing in the case?
The George Town Magistrate Court in Chennai has fixed 30 July as the next date of hearing, directing all accused to appear in person.
What has Nagenthran said about the case?
Nagenthran has maintained that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated. He alleged the case was registered by the previous DMK government with political intent, said he had expected the current government to withdraw it, and confirmed he will contest the charges through the legal process.
Which agency investigated the case and what was its finding?
The investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) for a detailed probe. After completing its inquiry, the CB-CID filed a chargesheet against 13 people, alleging their involvement in transporting cash for alleged voter distribution during the 2024 parliamentary elections.
