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DVAC raids ex-Ministers' houses

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

Photo: K. Ganesan.

DVAC sleuths coming out after a search at the residence of the former MLA, R. Tamaraikani, at Srivilliputhur on Wednesday.

CHENNAI AUG. 13. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) today conducted searches in various parts of the State in connection with cases of `disproportionate wealth' registered against two former Ministers and two ex-MLAs. Similar operations were conducted by the personnel in connection with a case of alleged irregularity in the purchase of land at `exorbitant rates' for housing at the instance of another former Minister.

According to the Directorate, based on preliminary verification into the allegations that the former Ministers/MLAs, N.K.K. Periyasamy, K. Sundaram and Gomathi Srinivasan and R. Tamaraikani, amassed wealth to the tune of `several crores', cases were registered against them under PCA provisions and the IPC. Investigation and searches conducted so far revealed that Mr. Periyasamy acquired assets and incurred expenditure to the tune of nearly Rs. 1.3 crores, Mr. Sundaram amassed Rs. 55 lakhs, Mr. Tamaraikani Rs.70 lakhs and Mrs. Srinivasan about Rs.19 lakhs when they were Ministers/MLAs during 1996-2001.

The DSPs of DVAC units in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Madurai, led by S. Prabhakar, ADSP, Virudhunagar unit, and four Deputy Tahsildars descended on Tamaraikani's residence early in the morning. The raid follows an assessment of the immovable properties of Mr. Tamaraikani, carried out by the DVAC and Public Works Department (PWD) officials last year.

Mr. Tamaraikani said that a case under Sections 13 (2) read with 13 (1) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered by the DVAC today prior to the raid. His son, T. Analagan, an advocate, complained that the FIR, even when demanded, was not issued to them. "Instead, they wanted us to get it from the court," he said.

An appraiser assessed the value of jewellery. The officials also took note of the number of vehicles, furniture and silk saris among other valuables. The officials had taken possession of bank passbooks, he said.

Stating that all the movable properties were inherited from his parents, Mr. Tamaraikani said he was ready to challenge the case in the court. Charging that the police were acting under instructions from `above', he expressed apprehension that he might be booked under `fictitious charges'.

About a dozen premises in Erode, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Virudhunagar and Thanjavur districts were searched. As the house of Mrs. Srinivasan at Annanagar West here was found locked, a message requiring her presence or that of an authorised representative was sent to her. It would be opened and searched after her arrival. (She was a Minister in the MGR government, but a DMK legislator from 1996 to 2001).

The searches resulted in the seizure of incriminating documents on acquisition of landed properties, vehicles, bank transactions, insurance policies, jewellery, expenditure incurred and foreign trips. Further investigation was on, the directorate said.

Following an allegation of `grave malpractices' in the purchase of land by the Kancheepuram Cooperative Housing Society at exorbitant rates, resulting in a loss of Rs. 1.87 crores to the society, a case had been registered against the former DMK Minister, K. Pitchandi, former Registrar of Cooperative Housing, R. Nallathambi and 12 others. Searches were conducted in 15 places in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tindivanam. Incriminating documents relating to acquisition of assets by the accused were seized, the Directorate said.

DVAC raids former minister's residence in Tiruvannamalai

Pichandi's house searched

A team of the DVAC from Vellore led by the DSP, K.N. Sudhakar today raided the residence and transport company office of the former DMK minister, K. Pichandi, in Tiruvannamalai.

The officials descended on the premises in Chengam Road in two jeeps at 7 a.m. and carried on the searches till 4.30 p.m. Mr. Pichandi who was in Chennai rushed to Tiruvannamalai on hearing of the raids and witnessed the searches after 12 p.m.

He told The Hindu that the raids were nothing but `vindictive action' of the AIADMK government against the DMK. "I will face the action legally," he said.

The DVAC personnel seized cash to the tune of Rs. 2000, four fixed deposit receipts totally valued at Rs. two lakhs belonging to the family of his brother from the house and photocopies of some documents from the transport company office, he said.

Mr. Sudhakar was not available for his comments at his office or residence.

Raid in Thanjavur

A team led by Balasubramanian, DSP, Thanjavur searched the house of Mrs. Srinivasan . She was a minister in the AIADMK cabinet of MGR between 1981 and 1986. Later she joined the DMK and was elected as MLA from Valangaiman reserve constituency in 1996 elections. Recently she quit the DMK and joined the BJP and is now the member of the All-India SC/ST committee of BJP.

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