Senthilbalaji appears before DVAC for inquiry in Tasmac irregularities case

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DMK MLA and former Minister V. Senthilbalaji. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

DMK MLA and former Minister V. Senthilbalaji on Saturday appeared in person before the investigating officer at the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) office for an inquiry into the case relating to alleged irregularities in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) liquor business.

The DVAC had conducted a discreet inquiry based on documents received from the government. The inquiry revealed a prima facie case of commission of a cognisable offence. Subsequently, a case was registered on July 28 under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Mr. Senthilbalaji, who had formerly served as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise; S. Visakan, IAS, former Managing Director of Tasmac; Rama Durai Murugan; Panneerselvam, officials of Tasmac; Bhaskar, a personal assistant; and private individuals Rathesh and Karthik, who are alleged to be close associates of Mr. Senthilbalaji. Others including distillery and brewery companies, transport firms, bottling firms, and unidentified public servants of Tasmac were also booked in the case.

Following the registration of the case, the DVAC conducted searches at several locations and seized incriminating documents from the premises of persons named as accused in the case. Karthik and his close associate Ramesh of Karur district were arrested on July 30. Subsequently, the DVAC summoned Mr. Senthilbalaji to appear for an inquiry. Pursuant to the summons, Mr. Senthilbalaji, accompanied by his lawyer, appeared before the investigating officer.

After exiting the DVAC office, Mr. Senthilbalaji addressed reporters and questioned the manner in which the case relating to hard disks allegedly stolen from the Electricity Board was being handled. He said there was no clarity over the number of hard disks that had been traced. He further pointed out that the ruling party’s own “White Paper” had listed achievements of the DMK regime, including the installation of 99,000 transformers and a significant reduction in the Electricity Board’s debt. He argued that these achievements contradicted claims made in the Assembly that no work had been carried out during the DMK’s tenure.

Mr. Senthilbalaji challenged the ruling party to immediately release any evidence it had against the DMK, saying that if it had proof of wrongdoing, it should initiate legal action instead of issuing vague threats. The former Minister also alleged that the present administration had failed to fulfil its election promises and had not provided the promised benefits to the people during its first 100 days.

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