The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has registered a case against former Tamil Nadu minister E.V. Velu and 10 others over an alleged Rs 3.20 crore irregularity linked to road improvement works.
According to the complaint, the alleged scam dates back to 2022, when payments were made to contractor Shankar Anand Infra by claiming road works had been completed even though the works were not carried out. The complaint was submitted to the DVAC by Arappor Iyakkam.
The petition cited multiple road stretches in and around Karur district and said Rs 4.19 crore had been allocated for quality upgradation. It alleged that without executing any work, Rs 3.20 crore was released to the contractor.
The complaint also referred to an earlier complaint by former minister M.R. Vijayabaskar, after which four Highways Department officials were suspended. It further alleged that road works were later carried out overnight with police protection, describing it as an attempt to destroy evidence.
Based on the complaint, DVAC teams began searches on Wednesday morning across Chennai, Karur and Tiruvannamalai. Raids were reported at 13 locations, including Velu’s residence in Alwarpet, Chennai, his house and office in Tiruvannamalai, and the Karur residence of contractor Shankar Anand. The case has been registered under sections including conspiracy and provisions of anti-corruption law.
