ACB Orders Reinvestigation Into Rs 27.9 Crore Bribery Case Against R Vaithilingam
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai has officially reopened its investigation into a Rs 27.9 crore bribery case involving former Housing minister R Vaithilingam. The move comes after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) ordered a fresh probe into the allegations, reviving the case amid intense political controversy and public scrutiny.
The bribery case against the former minister, who served during the AIADMK regime, was originally registered on February 24, 2024, during the tenure of the DMK government. The case was initiated following a complaint alleging that Vaithilingam had accepted a bribe of Rs 27.9 crore from a private construction firm. In exchange for this payment, the former minister allegedly granted official favours to the company. Following the registration of the complaint, the case was taken up for investigation by the DVAC.
The political context surrounding the case has drawn significant attention. Vaithilingam resigned from his MLA post in January and subsequently left the AIADMK party to join the ruling DMK. During a recent court hearing regarding the bribery complaint, it was revealed that the case against Vaithilingam had been closed in February.
This disclosure sparked widespread criticism from various quarters. Critics raised questions about the timing of the decision, specifically querying whether the closure of the bribery case was directly linked to Vaithilingam’s political transition from the AIADMK to the DMK. The mounting criticism and questions prompted renewed public attention and intense scrutiny of the case.
In response to the growing controversy, ACB director Arun ordered a complete reinvestigation into the bribery allegations. Following the director's order, the DVAC has reopened the file and is set to conduct a fresh inquiry. The new investigation will focus on the original bribery complaint against Vaithilingam, as well as the specific circumstances that led to the earlier closure of the case in February.
According to official sources, the reinvestigation is currently in progress. As of now, no further details regarding the active probe have been officially disclosed by the authorities.
