The Central Bureau of Investigation launched search operations across Chennai on Wednesday in connection with the gutka scam, reported ANI. Among those whose houses were raided include Minister of Health C Vijayabaskar, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police TK Rajendran, former Chennai Police Commissioner S George, and former state minister BV Ramana.
At least 35 locations of promoters and directors of Jayam Industries in Chennai, Thoothukudi, Tiruvallur, Puducherry, Mumbai and Bengaluru were also raided, ANI reported.
“We are conducting raids on the residences of the Tamil Nadu DGP, state health minister and 30 others places in Tamil Nadu in connection with the case relating to the gutka scam,” an unidentified CBI spokesperson told The Hindu.
Special teams comprising officials of the agency’s Anti Corruption unit from Delhi commenced the simultaneous searches around 7.30 am on Wednesday. This is the first time the CBI is searching the residence of a head of the police force in the state.
Opposition demands sacking of officials involved
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam demanded that the health minister and director general of police be sacked and described the raids on their homes as a shame on the state, PTI reported. “Vijayabaskar continuing in the cabinet and Rajendran as the head of the police department will turn out to be a blot against people’s rule and on the police force which is known for its honesty,” Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President MK Stalin said.
Stalin said Governor Banwarilal Purohit should dismiss them if the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam state government fails to do so.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary K Balakrishnan also called for the officials’ removal from their posts. “What respect will people for the police and the government after these raids?” Balakrishnan said.
Paattali Makkall Katchi founder S Ramadoss said that his party had been demanding Vijayabaskar’s dismissal for the last two years because of his alleged involvement in the case. “By not removing Vijayabaskar, the [Chief Minister] Edappadi K Palaniswami-led dispensation does not seem to be a government protecting people’s welfare but that of scam-tainted ministers,” Ramadoss said.
The case, which involves senior officials of the Tamil Nadu government and a minister, was transferred to the CBI in April. In May, the investigating agency registered a case against unknown officials of the central excise department, Tamil Nadu government and food safety department.
In July 2016, raids were conducted at the godown, offices and residences of a gutka manufacturer in Chennai on charges of evading Rs 250 crore in taxes. During the raid, officials found a diary with the names of those believed to have been paid off in order to facilitate the sale of banned tobacco products in the city. The health minister was among those mentioned in the diary.
Documents showed that Rs 40 crore was paid to Vijayabaskar and senior officials. Senior police officers and bureaucrats, including Rajendran, George, several officials in the department of Health and Food Safety and local councillors were named in connection with the scam.
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