KN Nehru, former DMK minister (File Photo)
The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) carried out searches at the residence and premises linked to former minister and senior DMK leader KN Nehru in Thillai Nagar, Tiruchirappalli, on September 5, 2026.
According to reports, DVAC conducted surprise raids at more than 10 locations linked to Nehru and his brothers over alleged disproportionate assets and financial irregularities. The officials carried out searches in Chennai, Trichy and Coimbatore, including the TVH apartment office managed by Nehru’s brother Manivannan.
Premises linked to Nehru’s other brother, Ravichandran, a real estate promoter, were also searched. Officials claimed that vital documents were seized during the raids.
In a note, the DVAC confirmed that searches had been conducted at 30 places across Tamil Nadu and said 241 incriminating documents relating to alleged tender irregularities had been seized.
In an official press note, DVAC said, “in connection with the allegation of irregularities committed in various tenders in the municipal administration and water supply department (MAWS), a case in DVAC headquarters crime no. 7/2026/ under sections 120B, 406, 409,420 of IPC and 61(2),316(5) and 318(4) of BNS,2023 and 7, 7A, 8,9,12, 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of Prevention of corruption Act 19822 has been registered”.
It said, “as part of the investigation, on September 5, 2026 searches were conducted in 30 places in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Erode and Tiruppur. During the searches 241 incriminating documents relating to the irregularities committed in the tenders, as well as electronic evidence, were seized. The case is under investigation”.
The raids cover allegations relating to recruitment, contracts, transfers and postings in the department, including an alleged Rs 888 crore cash-for-jobs scam in which money was purportedly collected from candidates in return for government employment. There are also allegations concerning irregularities in contracts worth around Rs 1,020 crore and illegal transfers and postings.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier shared information relating to the alleged irregularities with state authorities. An FIR was subsequently registered after the Madras High Court directed the DVAC to initiate a probe, following which the court later granted an interim stay on further vigilance action and proceedings against the accused. Legal proceedings in the matter are continuing.
Reacting to the raids, DMK chief MK Stalin criticised the DVAC in a post on X, saying, “The case is ongoing in the High Court; the Assembly session is also proceeding. In this situation, the state government has initiated a trial action against DMK headquarters secretary brother K.N. Nehru solely for political reasons.”
DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai alleged that the DVAC raids against KN Nehru were a “vindictive” action by the TVK government. He claimed the searches were initiated because Nehru had been holding the government accountable during Assembly sessions.
The spokesman said, “The vindictive action of the TVK government. We have seen how KN Nehru was holding the TVK government to account inside the Assembly. His voice was louder inside the Assembly. Probably they are not able to take the heat from KN Nehru. That is the reason these raids are happening.”
He accused the government of using the case as a diversionary tactic and asserted that the DMK would contest the matter legally, adding that it was pursued “solely for political reasons”.
Stalin said, “The people of Tamil Nadu are well aware that, to form the government, they induced MLAs from other parties to resign and inducted them into their party right there in the Assembly premises, conducted a horse-trading spree, and even failed to register a preliminary inquiry report in the complaints related to it”.
Tamil Nadu Minister Dr KG Arunraj said the investigation would proceed as per the law and that those involved in corruption would face consequences.
He said, “Law will take its due course. Whoever has indulged in anti-corruption activities will definitely have to face the hand of law.”
It is learnt that during the searches, DMK party cadres gathered outside Nehru’s residence. Former TN minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi also visited Nehru’s residence during the vigilance department searches.
