DVAC Questions Former Minister E V Velu For Five Hours In Alandur Highways Case

DMK leader and former minister E V Velu was questioned for nearly five hours by officials from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) at their office in Alandur on Wednesday. The inquiry is related to an ongoing case involving alleged irregularities worth ₹3.23 crore in the state highways department.

Velu arrived at the DVAC office in Alandur at approximately 10:45 am and was questioned by the anti-corruption investigators until 3:15 pm. During this session, which lasted nearly five hours, the former minister was asked more than 100 questions by the officials. The inquiry focused specifically on tender allotments and the processes involved in awarding those contracts.

During the course of the questioning session, DVAC officials examined several documents and recorded Velu's statement in both writing and video formats. According to sources, officials questioned the DMK leader on whether the highway contracts had been awarded in accordance with the state government rules. They also questioned him regarding the basis on which the ₹3.23 crore was released to the contractors before the road infrastructure works had even commenced.

The case, which was registered by the DVAC, involves allegations of corruption and criminal conspiracy against Velu and 10 other individuals. The investigation centers on alleged irregularities and payments of around ₹3.23 crore for road infrastructure works in Karur and other districts in 2022 that were ultimately left unexecuted.

Velu's appearance before the anti-corruption agency on Wednesday followed a directive from the Madras High Court. The high court had stayed a look-out circular that had been issued against the former minister, but directed him to cooperate and appear before the DVAC for the inquiry prior to the court-mandated deadline of July 15.