Transfer of illegal tender case to CBI: DVAC moves Supreme Court

After the Madras High Court ordered for a CBI probe into allegations of corruption in award of government road contracts, the DVAC (Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's order.

The High Court, which passed the order on a petition by the principal opposition DMK, held that the preliminary inquiry by the DVAC was nothing but a "perfunctory exercise" and had not been done in a fair manner.

The judge had on October 9 reserved orders after the DVAC informed that no cognisable offence had been made out against the Chief Minister in the complaint lodged with it.

In its petition, the DMK, represented by its organising secretary R S Bharathi, had alleged irregularities and corruption in award of road contracts.

It accused the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami of abusing his power and allotting projects worth Rs 3,500 crore to his relatives and 'benamis'.

Palaniswami, who also holds the highways portfolio, has rejected the DMK's charges and asserted that there were no irregularities in the award of contracts.