DMK man behind illegal gutka unit: Kovai SP

“Investigations revealed that former president of Kannampalayam Town Panchayat Thalapathi Murugesan, a DMK functionary, is hand in glove with Amith Jain, the absconding kingpin in the illegal operation of gutka manufacturing unit,” said Pa Murthy, Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore district.  

Speaking to reporters, the SP said Murugesan, who was the then Town Panchayat president, had helped in the functioning of the gutka unit in many ways. “Our primary inquiries have revealed his links, however in what ways he was helping in the illegal operations need to be probed,” said the SP. 

“The unit, which commenced its operations in 2011, has been paying property tax, industrial tax and water tax to the Kannampalayam Town Panchayat. 

However, the building doesn’t have plan approval and hasn’t got permission from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB),” the SP said.  Murthy said that the unit manager Raguram, who was arrested, will be taken into custody to know in what ways Murugesan was helping the gutka manufacturers. 

“The probe will also look to know if any other politicians and other department officials are involved in the illegal operation of the unit. Even three months ago the food safety officials carried out an inspection, but they couldn’t find out the illegal activity,” he said. 

The SP also defended the move to arrest the DMK workers as they prevented police from discharging their duty. Special teams of police have also launched a hunt to nab Amith Jain, the mastermind behind the illegal operations, he said.  

Murugesan has already been arrested along with a group of other DMK men by police on Tuesday for holding a demo, while the raid was underway at the unit last Saturday.