Both AIADMK groups spar over FIRs against ministers

The cases were filed on Friday following I-T (investigation) director complaining to the Chennai Police Commissioner that the ministers had obstructed government officials from discharging their duties at Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar’s house and that of AISMK (All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi) founder president and actor Sarathkumar. Only on Thursday, the party’s Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran ruled out any reshuffle in the state cabinet stating that the Health Minister —whose houses and offices were raided by the I-T department— had done nothing wrong. He further added, “The I-T raids had not unearthed any incriminating documents.” 

Both the groups sparred over this issue. AIADMK (A) spokesperson CR Saraswathi said, “I don’t know whether clearance from the Governor was necessary before registering cases against ministers.” 

AIADMK (PTA) spokesperson and former law minister C Ponnaiyan replied back, “It is the Central government’s I-T investigation wing that has complained to the police. So, the latter would not have acted without going into the legal implications of such an act.” He further added, “Certain provisions of the I-T Act, IPC and FERA do not need Governor’s nod for prosecuting the ministers.”