DMK seeks probe against TN minister

Chennai, Oct 1 (PTI) The DMK has moved the Madras High Court, alleging corruption in the award of government contracts by a Tamil Nadu minister and seeking a probe by a special investigation team.Peti

Chennai, Oct 1 (PTI) The DMK has moved the Madras High Court, alleging corruption in the award of government contracts by a Tamil Nadu minister and seeking a probe by a special investigation team.

Petitioner R S Bharathi, the DMK organising secretary, alleged that the state Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption was not willing to conduct an impartial probe into his complaint against Local Administration Minister S P Velumani.

The petitioner accused Velumani of abusing his official position and exercising his personal influence as a minister to get contracts for seven companies, all allegedly owned by his relatives, “resulting in the misappropriation of public funds and accumulation of disproportionate assets”.

The DMK leader alleged various irregularities in award of contracts, such as arbitrarily extending closing dates only to enable participation of the companies of Velumani’s relatives and rejection of other bidders on the ground of not submitting proper documents without examining the bid price.

Bharathi urged the court to form an SIT and monitor the investigation of his complaint.

Referring to similar petitions filed against Chief Minister K Palaniswami and some other ministers, he said it was imperative to prevent abuse of the process of law and secure the ends of justice.

The plea is likely to be heard on Wednesday.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.