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The Madras High Court has granted permission to the Tamil Nadu government to continue its investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding the Smart City projects in Chennai, involving former AIADMK minister S P Velumani and other individuals. The court's first bench, composed of Chief Justice Sanjay Vijaykumar Gangapurwala and Justice Adhikesavalu, stated that the state cannot be restricted from taking action based on its preliminary report, and urged the government to proceed with the investigation. This decision comes as a modification of the court's previous order from February 2020.
The origins of this case can be traced back to a complaint filed by the anti-corruption organization Arappor Iyakkam, alleging corruption amounting to 600 crore rupees in the Smart City projects conducted in Chennai during the AIADMK regime in 2018 and 2019. Arappor Iyakkam claimed that contractors had received payment for river sand while actually utilizing M-sand in the construction of stormwater drains. They further alleged the involvement of Velumani, who was the municipal administration minister at the time, as well as other corporation officials, in the execution of 37 tenders for road construction and stormwater drain projects.
In 2020, Arappor Iyakkam approached the high court seeking a directive for the state government to take action on their complaint. The case was presented before the first bench for further proceedings on Wednesday.
During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu advocate-general, R Shunmugasundaram, referred to a high court order from February 2020 that had prevented the state government from pursuing an investigation into the charges. He attributed the delay in the investigation to this ruling and requested a modification of the previous order. Shunmugasundaram explained that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had completed the preliminary inquiry into the complaint but was unable to proceed due to the court's interim order.
In light of the arguments put forth by the advocate-general, the first bench decided to modify its earlier order, thus enabling the state government to resume its investigation into the case. This development provides the necessary clearance for the authorities to delve deeper into the alleged corruption surrounding the Smart City projects in Chennai and potentially hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The court's decision signifies a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice and accountability. By allowing the investigation to proceed, it demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that allegations of corruption are thoroughly examined. This development also highlights the crucial role played by anti-corruption organizations such as Arappor Iyakkam in raising awareness and pushing for action against corrupt practices. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what outcomes will arise from the scrutiny of the Smart City projects in Chennai.
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