Gutkha scam: Stalin sees cover up in officer’s transfer

Describing as ‘condemnable’ the transfer of vigilance and anti-corruption ADGP Manjunatha, which, he claimed, was done to save state Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar from the Rs 40 crore gutkha scam, Stalin said the vigilance commission and anti-corruption units would not initiate action against either the ministers or the DGPs involved in it. 

The out of the blue transfer of the investigating officers, even while awaiting court orders in the case filed by the DMK seeking CBI probe into the scam, was a glaring attempt to stop even the minimum investigation in the case and save Minister Vijaya Baskar and DGP TK Rajendran, the DMK president reiterated. Referring to the High Court directed appointment and subsequent transfer of vigilance commissioner VK Jeyakodi and ADGP of vigilance and anti-corruption unit, Stalin said that it was amply clear from the transfers that the government was wrapping up all gutkha scam related investigations.

Recalling the reported recommendation of the I T Department advising the Chief Secretary to initiate action against officers and ministers involved in the scam, Stalin pointed to the missing files related to the case and re marked that inaction against officers responsible for missing files was proof of fallacy of the “missing files” theory. 

Adding that the transfer of vigilance commissioner, ADGP of DVAC and investigation officer was not only against the administrative practices but also violates court orders, Stalin said the Chief Minister and his government would soon be answerable for the missing files, investigating officers transfer in the Rs 40 crore gutkha scam and illegal sale of gutkha products in the state. The Leader of Opposition also cautioned that officer abetting such transfers would not escape the radar of case probe.