Former TN minister E.V. Velu appears before DVAC in alleged ₹3.23 crore highway scam

Chennai, July 15 (IANS) Former Tamil Nadu Highways Minister and DMK MLA, E.V. Velu appeared before the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Wednesday for questioning in connection with an alleged ₹3.23-crore highway fraud case linked to his tenure in the previous DMK government.

The investigation pertains to allegations that public funds amounting to ₹3.23 crore were fraudulently claimed for a road construction project in Karur district that was allegedly never executed.

The DVAC has registered a case against Velu, who represents the Tiruvannamalai Assembly constituency, along with nine Highways Department engineers and another official, taking the total number of accused to 11.

The case marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the execution of road infrastructure projects undertaken during the previous administration.

Investigators suspect that false records and fabricated documentation were used to process payments for work that was either incomplete or never carried out. As part of the probe, DVAC officials conducted extensive searches on June 25 at around 20 locations linked to the accused, including Velu’s residence in Alwarpet, Chennai.

During the searches, investigators seized several documents and records that are believed to be relevant to the case.

The material recovered is currently being examined to determine the extent of the alleged financial irregularities and the involvement of the accused.

Following the raids, the anti-corruption agency had initially summoned Velu to appear for questioning on July 3. However, he did not present himself before the investigators on the scheduled date.

His legal representatives informed the agency that the former minister was undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Singapore and was, therefore, unable to attend the enquiry.

The matter subsequently reached the Madras High Court, where Velu sought relief against the investigation. While granting him interim protection from coercive action, the High Court directed him to cooperate fully with the investigation and appear before the DVAC on July 15 for questioning.

Complying with the court’s direction, Velu arrived at the DVAC office in Chennai on Tuesday and appeared before investigating officers for interrogation.

Officials are expected to question him on the execution of the alleged road project, the approval process for the expenditure, and the documents seized during the searches. The DVAC investigation is continuing, and further action will depend on the findings emerging from the ongoing interrogation and scrutiny of the evidence collected.

–IANS

aal/rad