CHENNAI: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Friday arrested two persons, including a key associate of former minister and influential DMK leader V Senthilbalaji, in connection with the corruption case linked to alleged irregularities in Tasmac operations.
S Karthik alias ‘Mulanoor’ Karthik, one of the accused, is said to be the leader of the ‘Karur Gang’.
According to the FIR, all the bars in Karur district were allegedly run by Karthik and his associates, who allegedly formed an organised crime syndicate, which came to be known as the Karur Gang.
Karthik’s associate Ramesh, also from Karur district, were produced before the Principal Sessions Court, City Civil Court, Chennai, which remanded them in judicial custody.
The FIR names former prohibition and excise minister Senthilbalaji, S Visakan, the then managing director of Tasmac; two senior regional managers; Rathesh Raj S, an IPS officer’s brother who wielded considerable sway in the previous government; and Bhaskar, Balaji’s PA, among others.
It also named besides distillery and brewery companies, transport firms, bottling companies and other unidentified public servants and private individuals.
The agency has invoked provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and destruction of evidence under the Indian Penal Code and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It said the case was registered after a government-referred discreet inquiry revealed sufficient material indicating the commission of cognisable offences. The investigation is continuing to ascertain the role of the remaining accused and other entities named in the FIR.
V Senthilbalaji, former minister for electricity, prohibition and excise
S Visakan, former managing director, Tasmac
T Rama Durai Murugan, former senior regional manager, Tasmac
R Panneer Selvam, former senior regional manager, Tasmac
Bhaskar, former personal assistant to Senthilbalaji
Rathesh Raj S (brother of a serving IPS officer)
S Karthik alias Mulanoor Karthik, Karur
Distillery/brewery companies, and transport and bottling firms