Cops’ houses among 18 spots raided by DVAC

Sources said that 13 teams carried out raids which included Anbuchezhian’s house in Kilpauk and Ramesh’s house at the Police Quarters in Mandaveli. Several documents were said to have been seized during the day-long search.

The incident came to light in October, 2017, after a letter written by the then Home Secretary D Niranjan Mardi seeking clarification from the State DGP over alleged irregularities in purchases of gadgets including mobile phones and CCTV systems worth several crores leaked to the media. Later, the government ordered DVAC to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations. The inquiry was concluded recently at the end of which DVAC had prima facie evidence of irregularities against 14 officers of the Police Telecommunications Branch and two private firms. A case was registered on Friday.

Subsequently, raids were carried out on Saturday. The letter by the then Home Secretary had raised several issues with regard to the tenders floated by the department for the modernisation scheme including why sanction was given for purchase of two types of walkie-talkies, supported by different technologies, worth Rs 83 crore, when the two are not compatible with each other.