₹634-Crore Scandal: DVAC Questions Former Minister KN Nehru at Trichy Home
DVAC officials question former DMK minister KN Nehru at his Trichy home over a ₹634-crore recruitment and contract corruption scandal.
In a high-drama development in Tiruchirappalli, officials from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) descended upon the Thillai Nagar residence of former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK Principal Secretary KN Nehru. The visit, centered around the KN Nehru MAWS corruption case, involved an intensive search and a questioning session that lasted over an hour.
High-Stakes Interrogation and Tension
The operation was carried out by an eight-member DVAC team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Hema Chithra, along with police inspectors Sakthivel and Prasanna Venkatesh. As the officials grilled the former minister inside his home, the atmosphere outside turned electric, with more than 200 DMK cadres gathering to show their support and monitor the proceedings.
The Core of the Allegations: A ₹634-Crore Bribe
The investigation delves into serious allegations of systemic corruption within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department during the previous government's tenure. The primary focus of the probe is an alleged ₹634-crore bribe linked to the recruitment of junior engineers.
However, the scope of the investigation extends beyond just hiring. The DVAC is looking into several other irregularities that allegedly occurred while Nehru was the minister in charge of the department, including:
- Corruption in recruitment processes for departmental roles.
- Illegalities in the allocation of contracts.
- Irregularities in the transfer of officials.
The Paper Trail: From ED to the High Court
This crackdown did not happen in isolation. The investigation gained momentum after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) shared critical details regarding these irregularities with state authorities. Following this, the Madras High Court stepped in, directing the DVAC to initiate a formal probe into the allegations.
The resulting First Information Report (FIR) does not just name KN Nehru; it also includes his relatives and several government officials, suggesting a wider network of alleged collusion.
A Pattern of Scrutiny
This is not the first time Nehru's premises have been under the scanner. The DVAC had previously conducted searches at his Thillai Nagar residence and surrounding premises on September 5. While the legal battle continues, the Madras High Court has recently granted an interim stay on further vigilance action and proceedings against the accused, though the overall legal process remains active.