CHENNAI: In a major setback to the Tamil Nadu government, the Madras High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in awarding multi-core road contracts to his relatives.
Justice A D Jagdish ordered the CBI investigation to be headed by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police. Nearly four months after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the main Opposition party in the state accused CM Palaniswami of irregularities and corruption the probe being transferred to the CBI.
Justice A D Jagadish Chandira gave the direction on a petition by the DMK, after perusing the report filed by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). The judge then directed the vigilance agency to hand over all relevant documents to the CBI within a week.
After perusing the report filed by the DVAC, the court said it was not satisfied with it and the action taken by the vigilance agency. In June this year, the DMK had written to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) alleging corruption in the allocation of five highways project contracts to various firms owned by relatives of Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami.
The court had on September 12 directed the DVAC to file a report on the day-to-day preliminary investigation conducted by it against Palaniswami on the complaint.
