DMK moves HC seeking DVAC probe against Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is likely to face a probe by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) as the DMK has approached the Madras high court seeking a direction to the DVAC to register a case based on its complaint of corruption against the CM.
Moving the plea on behalf of the DMK, it's organising secretary RS Bharathi alleged that the chief minister, who is also holding the portfolio of the state highway ministry, had abused his power to allocate five highway laying and maintenance projects worth Rs 3,500 crore to firms owned by his relatives and benamis. Most of the projects were funded by the World Bank, he added.

"Palaniswami, being a government servant, entered into a criminal conspiracy with his relatives and benamis and thereby committed criminal misconduct and obtained undue pecuniary advantage for himself. These offences attract punishment under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act," Bharathi said in his affidavit.

Although a complaint was made on June 13, against Palaniswami no action had been taken by the DVAC, the petitioner alleged and wanted the court to direct the DVAC to register a case and commence preliminary probe immediately.

The plea filed on Thursday is likely to be taken up for hearing on August 24.