Former -DMK Minister EV Velu (File Photo)
Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday (June 25) conducted searches at multiple properties linked to former Public Works and Highways Minister E.V. Velu as part of an investigation into allegations of disproportionate assets and suspected irregularities in the award of government contracts during the previous DMK regime.
It is learnt that simultaneous raids were carried out at Velu’s residences and other premises in Chennai’s Alwarpet and his home district of Tiruvannamalai, and the searches covered 13 locations associated with the senior DMK leader.
Velu, who is the DMK’s Chief Whip in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, held the crucial Public Works and Highways portfolios in the previous DMK government. He was one of the most powerful ministers during that time. The departments were responsible for executing several major infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and public buildings.
Following complaints from a group of contractors, who claimed they were compelled to pay bribes to secure contracts from the Public Works and Highways Department during the previous administration, the DVAC booked a case and conducted raids.
It is reported that the searches are linked to a preliminary inquiry into allegations that Velu amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income while serving as a minister.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had recently told the State Assembly that his government would pursue a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and ensure stringent action against those found guilty of graft, irrespective of their political affiliation.
The searches are expected to intensify the political confrontation between the ruling TVK government and the opposition DMK, which has consistently denied allegations of corruption against its leaders.
The anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, in a post, said: “FIR filed by DVAC against former EV Velu and others in Arappor’s Karur State Highways complaint. The State Highways Department had given a tender to one contractor. Sankar Anand, who, without laying the road, was paid a bill of Rs. 4.68 crore in 2022. They forged a document like a measurement book in 2022 to facilitate payment. When the scam surfaced, the then minister Velu merely registered an FIR, but no further action was taken till April this year to protect the contractor.
They also tried to destroy evidence. During 2021–22, Sankar bagged 20 out of 31 tenders and, out of Rs. 170 crore, Rs. 110 crore went to him. Arappor Iyakkam had given a complaint with evidence in April and October 2022.”
The NGO, in a post on X, claimed that during the 10 years of AIADMK and DMK rule, the main motto of the officials was: “Whichever party, whoever they may be, they are our friends. Corruption is their main principle. They worked hand in glove with corrupt politicians by ensuring their pockets were filled. They ensured they got key posts and were looting without any limit. They have now lost their hold and earnings. The ecosystem is feeling dejected. Who will protect us if the new government opens up the cases of the past? Their long-lasting friendship in corrupt practices has come to a halt. They can’t protect each other anymore.”
The NGO said it had submitted all complaints regarding corruption with evidence. It has urged the TVK government to speed up the filing of charge sheets in cases where FIRs were registered, identify complaints that had been kept under wraps, and take steps to file FIRs. It said people are expecting that the change in government would result in the punishment of the corrupt, irrespective of their political affiliation.
Another setback to former AIADMK minister Vaithilingam. He joined the DMK in January 2026, and in February the DMK government closed a corruption case against him. The TVK government has now reopened the corruption case against him.
Arappor Iyakkam said: “The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) ought to have informed the complainant—Arappor Iyakkam—that it intended to close the case without filing a charge sheet.
However, the DVAC moved the court in February to quash the FIR without Arappor Iyakkam’s knowledge.
Furthermore, under the new TVK administration, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) informed the court on June 4 that it had designated only the DVAC officer as the complainant and that the officer had no objection to the matter.
Arappor Iyakkam became aware of this fraud today. We will immediately approach the court to argue against the closure of the case.”
Critics expect “the DVAC raids should culminate in the logical conclusion of those involved being convicted and jailed”.
Meanwhile, the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government has cancelled a tender floated by the previous DMK regime to procure 500 electric buses with funding from German development bank KfW.
Recently, the government also cancelled works worth Rs. 246 crore under the HR and CE Department.
The Vijay government also ordered a high-level probe into the infrastructure tenders allocated during the previous DMK regime in the Chennai Corporation. Following serious allegations of a 25% commission and substandard work, the TVK government has temporarily halted pending payments worth Rs. 1,800 crore to contractors.
