A retired executive engineer from the Water Resources Department, R Devarajan, has come forward and alleged that he was wrongfully dismissed from service in connection with the sand mining scam. According to Devarajan, his dismissal was orchestrated to prevent him from revealing crucial information related to irregularities in the sand mining issue and to shield influential leaders associated with the DMK government.
The engineer’s claims surfaced through a viral video on social media, where Devarajan asserts that the dismissal order, dated November 28, 2023, was signed by a junior official who had now risen to a senior position. Devarajan alleges that he was under suspension before being dismissed from his post. The dismissal order cites the reason for his termination as the use of social media to address grievances instead of pursuing available platforms, including judicial forums, and his confirmed political involvement through speeches where he admitted to forming his own political party, the “New Generation Party” (Puthiya Thalaimurai Katchi).
Devarajan elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the dismissal in a YouTube video. In a rough transcript, he states, “On this day, November 28, 2023, I have received a dismissal order. I was outside, in Korattur, and three people came from my office with the dismissal order. Since I was not there, they gave it to my wife and took her signature.” He goes on to identify Engineering Chief WRO Muthaiah, a junior to him in rank, as the signatory of the dismissal document.
Linking his dismissal to the illegal sand mining case, Devarajan reveals that Muthaiah and other officials involved in the Rs 4,700 crore scam case filed by the ED played a role in orchestrating his removal. Sandeep Saxena, the Additional Chief Secretary of the public works department, who is also implicated in the scandal, allegedly warned others involved to hide. Devarajan implicates DMK leaders, including Stalin and Duraimurugan, their ministry, and specific IAS officers like Sandeep Saxena, SK Prabhakaran, and Manivasagan in a conspiracy to dismiss him.
He accuses these individuals of collaborating to protect themselves from the investigation into the sand mining scandal, highlighting the connections between the implicated officials and the decision to terminate his services. Devarajan contends that the timing of his dismissal is suspect, occurring just as crucial revelations about the scandal were emerging.
Devarajan, in a video that has gained traction on social media, expressed his frustration, stating, “By dismissing an efficient officer like me, they have rendered me grave injustice.” He asserts that his suspension and subsequent dismissal were orchestrated due to political interference and personal vendettas within the government. According to Devarajan, he should have been promoted to the position of Engineering Chief in 2018, but promotions were unjustly granted to his juniors, even under the leadership of then Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami.
The former executive engineer alleges that SK Prabhakaran informed him in 2018 that he would not be promoted. However, with the change in government, he faced suspension in 2021 under the administration of PWD Minister Duraimurugan and Chief Minister MK Stalin. Devarajan reveals that his dismissal on November 28, 2023, was carried out by Muthaiah, who he claims has been hiding from the ED for the past month.
Accusing Muthaiah of aiding and abetting in the Rs 4,500 crore sand mining scam involving DMK leaders Stalin, Duraimurugan, and Sandeep Saxena, Devarajan expresses outrage at the Tamil Nadu government’s alleged complicity. TNPSC’s approval of his dismissal raises questions about the state of governance, according to Devarajan, who questions the validity of such decisions.
He criticizes the press for its perceived reluctance to report on the matter, alleging a bias towards the government. Devarajan accuses the press of being influenced by Chief Minister Stalin’s announcement of a monetary reward for the families of journalists who die on duty. Expressing his frustration with the media, he states, “Those filthy dogs, the press reporters, will not publish this news.”
As the controversy surrounding Devarajan’s dismissal intensifies, calls for a thorough investigation into his claims gain momentum. The allegations of corruption, political interference, and injustice within the government shed light on the complex dynamics at play in Tamil Nadu’s administrative and political landscape.
https://youtu.be/_rOY_wstPVM
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a damning affidavit in the Madras High Court, revealing startling details of widespread corruption in the illegal sand mining operations in Tamil Nadu. The affidavit, filed by Assistant Director KM Manjunathan through Special Public Prosecutor N Ramesh, alleges that the proceeds from illegal sand mining over the past “1-2 years” amounted to a staggering Rs 4,730 crore. In contrast, the revenue generated by the state government from legal sand mining during the same period was a mere Rs 36 crore.
The ED’s affidavit underscores a severe case of corruption involving public servants and the sand mafia. The agency accuses the Tamil Nadu government of shielding wrongdoers and highlights a significant disparity between the permitted mining area and the actual impacted area. While the permitted mining area across 28 sand mining sites stood at 195.37 hectares, the actual mining-impacted area was a staggering 987.01 hectares.
The affidavit disclosed that a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), employed scientific techniques, including LIDAR, to quantify the amount of sand mined from quarries across the state. The team’s report indicated a colossal excess mining of 24 lakh units compared to the recorded volume of 4.05 lakh units in the Water Resources Department (WRD) books.
The ED further emphasized the total sale value of the illegally mined sand, reaching Rs 4,730 crores, compared to the recorded revenue of a mere Rs 36.45 crore. This significant discrepancy, less than 1%, points to a gross mismatch between actual mining activities and the revenue declared by the state government.
In response to the ED’s probe, the Tamil Nadu government, on behalf of district collectors from Ariyalur, Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, and Vellore, filed a petition challenging the agency’s jurisdiction in the matter. The ED had previously summoned the district collectors, requesting their appearance with Aadhar cards and details of sand mining activities in their respective districts.
On Tuesday, a division bench comprising Justices S S Sundar and Sunder Mohan issued a stay on the summons issued to the district collectors in the sand mining case. However, the bench allowed the Enforcement Directorate to continue its investigation into the alleged corruption and irregularities associated with illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu. The case has raised concerns about the rampant exploitation of natural resources and the role of public officials in facilitating illicit activities within the state.
The retired engineer’s allegations have sparked public concern and raised questions about the transparency and accountability of government officials involved in the sand mining issue. As the ED continues its investigation, calls for an impartial inquiry into Devarajan’s claims are gaining momentum, with demands for accountability and justice echoing from various quarters. The unfolding developments shed light on the intricate web of connections between government officials, political figures, and corruption allegations in the sand mining controversy.
