Gutkha scam: CBI begins probe at Food Safety Department

As a first step, the team conducted an inquiry at Food Safety Department office and collected staff details on Friday. Sources said that the sleuths had already sought for details of the staff who had worked in the department from 2011 to 2016. 

Details of the same were handed over to the investigators on Friday. They are expected to be summoned by the CBI for further inquiry. Food Safety Department officials are in charge of monitoring the  distribution and sale of banned tobacco product, and take action against violators. 

In the scam related to the alleged large-scale distribution and sale of banned gutkha products, the traders had reportedly bribed many government officials, including police commissioners, officials from Food Safety department and Central Excise, and even state ministers. 

The case was initially probed by state DVAC, before it was entrusted on the CBI by the Madras High Court.  

The CBI has also collected details of officers of Central Excise, sources added.  

The scam had revealed the political and bureaucratic collusion, with Income Tax reports alleging the involvement of state Health Minister C Viaja Baskar and Director General of Police T K Rajendran. 

The manufacture, storage and sale of the carcinogenic chewable forms of tobacco, including gutkha and pan masala were banned by the state government in 2013. 

During a raid, the I-T department had seized a diary containing names of those who were believed to have been paid off by the gutkha manufacturers – and one among them was Health Minister Vijaya Baskar.