Why is DVAC raiding Vijayabaskar and Velumani? Details inside

CHENNAI: Vigilance raids are underway across several properties of two former Tamil Nadu ministers -- SP Velumani and C Vijayabaskar -- for past irregularities in their respective departments. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has registered a criminal case against former Tamil Nadu minister, presently a member of the state Assembly SP Velumani, on allegations that he had used the official position in awarding tenders in injudiciously to his closed associated companies.

SP Velumani was the minister for rural development. The vigilance authority through a statement said awarding of tenders to his closed associated companies caused a loss to the government exchequer worth around Rs 500 crores.

The tenders were for replacing the existing street lights with led lights in rural areas during the period from 2015 and 2018. "Based on the FIR searches conducted at 26 places, including 10 at Chennai, 9 at Coimbatore and 7 places including Tambaram, Avadi, Tiruchy and Chengalpattu," a DVAC official statement said.

Further, it registered a criminal case against the state's former health minister C Vijayabaskar in a corruption case of irregularities in the issuance of essentiality certificate in 2020 to Vels Medical College and Hospital against the regulations of the National Medical Commission. In that context, searches are being conducted at 13 places, including five at Chennai, three at Salem and one at Madhurai, Theni, Pudukottai, Tiruvallur and Tambaram, it added.

Besides, premises of Vels Group Chairman Ishari Ganesh, Dr Krishnaraj Dean of Vels Medical College, Dr Balajinathan, former Dean of Govt Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College are being raided, it added.