Raj Bhavan staff held for scam in furniture purchase

The city police on Saturday arrested two staff members of Raj Bhavan for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of public money between 2015-17 by forging bills in the procurement of furniture for the official residence of the Tamil Nadu Governor.

According to the police, S. Rajesh, 29, an office assistant, and Justin Rajesh, 39, a conservancy staff member of Raj Bhavan, were arrested after interrogation.

The scam came to light last February when Deputy Secretary to the Governor and Comptroller Sowri Rajan lodged a complaint with the Guindy police.

After registering a case, the police in February arrested Mohammad Younis, 45, an upholsterer in Adyar who was supplying furniture for the last 15 years.

The investigation revealed the complicity of a few staff members in Raj Bhavan in raising fake bills for goods that were not supplied.

The investigation disclosed the involvement of two more persons. The two were lodged at the Central Prison after a court remanded them in judicial custody.