HC orders CBI probe into graft charges against TN CM; Opp

In a setback to Tamil Nadu chief Minister K Palaniswami, the Madras High Court Friday ordered a CBI probe into allegations of corruption in award of road contracts by him, triggering demands by the opposition parties for his resignation.

The court, which passed the order on a petition by the principal opposition DMK, held that the preliminary inquiry by the state Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption was nothing but a perfunctory exercise and had not been done in a fair manner.

"Hence, it has to benecessarily transferred to any other independent agency not under the control of the persons in power," Justice A D Jagadesh Chandira said in his order, observing that this case will certainly fall within the category of 'exceptional and rarest case'.

The judge had on October 9 reserved orders after the DVAC informed that no cognisable offence had been made out against the Chief Minister in the complaint lodged with it.

In its petition, the DMK, represented by its organising secretary R S Bharathi, has alleged irregularities and corruption in award of road contracts. It has accused Palaniswami of abusing his power and allotting projects worth Rs 3,500 crore to his relatives and 'benamis'.

The court order is seen as a major embarrassment for the AIADMK as Palaniswami will be the first chief minister in the state to face a CBI probe over corruption charges.

Palaniswami, the AIADMK joint coordinator, is the second minister of his cabinet to face CBI scrutiny after Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, who is under the scanner in connection with the multi-crore gutka scam.

The premises of Vijayabaskar besides that of state DGP K Rajendran, were searched by the CBI last month.

Palaniswami, who also holds the highways portfolio, has earlier rejected the allegations by the DMK and asserted that there were no irregularities in the award of contracts.

The court's direction prompted DMK President M K Stalin to demand the dismissal of Palaniswami by Governor Banwarilal Purohit if he did not step down on his own.

Welcoming the order, Stalin, in a statement, said Palaniswami should immediately step down to ensure an "independent probe" into the matter.

The DMK, which has been accusing the AIADMK government of 'rampant' corruption, had recently organised public meetings over the issue.

The party has also moved the court against some other state ministers levelling similar corruption charges and the petitions are pending.

TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar, state secretaries of CPI (M) and CPI K Balakrishnan and R Mutharasan respectively and PMK founder S Ramadoss also demanded the resignation of Palaniswami as Chief Minister.

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder TTV Dhinakaran slammed the Chief Minister and rued the 'rampant' corruption in several departments.

Dhinakaran, who was sidelined by Palaniswami and his cabinet colleagues last year, said the development had brought 'disrepute' to the state and expressed hope "truth will very soon emerge."