DMK’s graft complaints against CM closed, says DVAC

Chennai

When the plea seeking to register an FIR on road maintenance project came up for hearing before Justice N Satish Kumar, special public prosecutor (SPP) A Natarajan submitted that the tender was opened only on June 1 but DMK MP RS Bharathi had lodged the complaint on May 6 itself against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who also holds the Highways portfolio.

Wondering as to how corruption allegations could be raised ahead of the tender being opened, he said the DVAC submitted a closure report to the government on June 1.

However, after senior counsel R Shanmugusundaram appearing for Bharathi sought time to find out whether his client received the closure report, Justice Sathish Kumar adjourned further hearing to Thursday.

Similarly, when the plea for registration of FIR regarding the fibre optic cable tender came up, the SPP made an identical submission stating that since complaint was based on mere surmises and assumptions even before the tender could be opened, DVAC filed the closure report on June 2.

But considering DMK’s submission that an FIR must be registered as public money to the tune of Rs 1,950 crore was involved, the judge directed the SPP to file the facts that led to closure and posted the case for further hearing also to Thursday.