Gutkha scam: CBI court transfers gutkha scam case to special court hearing cases related legislators
The CBI has been investigating allegations of illegal gutkha sales in Tamil Nadu, involving bribes paid to officials despite a state-wide ban.
AIADMK former ministers C Vijayabaskar and BV Ramana
CHENNAI: The CBI court Chennai transferred the Guthka scam case alleged against the top officials and politicians of the State including former ministers of AIADMK, to the special court hearing criminal cases related MP/MLAs.
Additional sessions judge Ezhil Valavan transferred the case as former ministers C Vijayabaskar and B V Ramana among others have been included as accused in the case.
The judge also posted the matter to be heard on August 2.
In July 2022, the Tamil Nadu government granted sanction to prosecute former health minister Vijayabaskar, former commercial taxes minister BV Ramana, and former DGPs TK Rajendran and George, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
On March 29, 2018, the investigation was transferred to CBI from Tamil Nadu police, and re-registered the case, on the directions of the High Court, Chennai
The Union government had also given permission for the CBI to investigate the former DGP of Tamil Nadu TK Rajendran and former police commissioner of Chennai, George in the Gutkha case.
The case relates to the alleged involvement of the former Ministers, former IPS officers, and other officials in the Tamil Nadu police, Greater Chennai Corporation, Food Safety Department, and Commercial Taxes wing, among others, in taking bribes to the tune of Rs.39.91 crore for facilitating the storage, transportation, and sale of gutkha in Chennai city.
