Tamil Nadu govt explains to Madras High Court on tenure extension of DGP

The records were submitted to the Madurai bench of the high court on its last week's directions to the state chief secretary and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption director (DVAC) on a plea questioning the extension of Rajendran's tenure despite allegations of corruption against him.

Petitioner R Kathiresan had contended in his plea that as documents seized by the IT Department revealed that Rajendran had taken bribe from a gutkha company to facilitate sale of the banned substance.

He submitted to the bench of justice’s KK Sashidharan and GR Swaminathan that the extension given to Rajendran should be quashed and declared null and void.

He had also sought a CBI probe into the matter.

Kathiresan also sought to know as to why the government did not consider many other efficient IPS officers for appointment as the DGP.

The court had earlier asked the IT Department to produce the documents containing the names of the government officials who had figured in the list of the gutkha company as recipients of bribe from it.

The vigilance director was also directed to produce the material forwarded by the chief secretary for quick verification pursuant to the action taken by the IT Department.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on July 12 as the IT Department sought time to submit documents, saying the investigation regarding the bribe given by the gutkha company had not been completed.

Rajendran, holding additional charge as DGP (Law and Order) was due to retire on June 30 and the government order appointing him to the top post came on the night of that day.