CBI team probing gutkha scam dismantled, new squad in place

The sudden changes happened in the department after the probe team filed the charge sheet against six accused persons, including three government officials, on November 2 and was reportedly getting ready with more evidence to bring more senior government officials and ministers under its radar.

The CBI, New Delhi, had registered a case in May and began investigation following orders from the Madras High Court. A team was formed to probe the case with Suresh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), CBI, Delhi as the investigation officer, under supervision of Manish Kumar Sinha, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of anti-corruption-III unit; Kannan, Superintendent of Police of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB); Pramod and Muthu Kumar, inspectors of ACB.

Sources noted that inspectors from Chennai were entrusted with the crucial works as they were familiar with the issue and had the advantage of knowing the local language.

During the first week of September, searches were conducted at nearly 40 places, including residence of Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar, State DGP TK Rajendran and former Chennai Police Commissioner S George. “Evidence were collected against a few persons, including the minister. These documentary evidences were sent to Delhi seeking guidance for further action. In this situation, the team was dismantled,” sources said.

DIG Manish Kumar Sinha was shifted to Nagpur on October 24 while the CBI director and special director were involved in an ugly public spat that is now dealt by the Supreme Court. Now, SP Kannan, too, has been taken out of gutkha probe and SP K Babu has been appointed as the in-charge of the investigation. Inspector Pramod Kumar is being repatriated to his home State after CBI headquarters denied his extension.

Sources noted that all these decisions are taken even though CBI’s interim director M Nageswara Rao has been asked by the apex court not to take policy decisions.

DMK president MK Stalin has demanded the revocation of transfer of two CBI officers probing the gutkha scam. “Repeated transfer of investigating officers without filing charge sheet against the concerned minister and DGP was an attempt to help the real offenders escape the charges,” he said in a Twitter post. “Cancel the transfers immediately,” added the DMK president who had earlier accused the BJP-led Centre of helping the AIADMK ministers escape the corruption cases. Stalin had also threatened the move the Supreme Court seeking impartial probe in to the gutkha scam if the case drifts in the wrong direction.