DVAC to probe graft charges against Tamil Nadu former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has planned to speed up the inquiry against former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami with regard to alleged misappropriation of government funds during the period 2017-2021. This comes after the DMK-led government last week accorded permission to the agency to inquire into the allegations.
While there is no stipulated time to complete the investigation, the DVAC plans to conclude the probe and submit a report to the government before May.
A retired DVAC officer said that if the investigation officers discovered any prima facie against the former chief minister after inquiry they would write to the state government seeking permission to register a case and probe further.
Special Investigation Cell (SIC) head Lalitha Lakshmi, an inspector general of police rank officer, has been tasked with inquiring into the alleged corruption involved in the construction of 11 medical colleges buildings in the state during the period from 2017 to 2021 at a cost of ₹4,080 crore. The said college buildings at Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Nagapattinam, Tirupur and the Nilgiris with a total annual intake of 1,450 MBBS students each, which were constructed by the state public works department (PWD), were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The SIC officials will investigate the corruption charges levelled against government officials, contractors, and other individuals.
The DVAC sought permission for an inquiry under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.