DMK Leaders Face Arrests and ED Probes Ahead of Tamil Nadu Bypolls
Just days ahead of the October 6 by-elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu is facing significant political and legal challenges. On October 1, a series of arrests, First Information Reports (FIRs), and an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation targeted several party functionaries and leaders across the state.
The legal actions involve allegations ranging from temple land fraud and financial corruption to sexual assault and violence against women. These developments have intensified the political atmosphere in the state as local elections approach.
Arrest in Srirangam Temple Land Case
The Tamil Nadu Police arrested DMK Srirangam Area Secretary N. Ramkumar on October 1. The arrest took place shortly after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. Ramkumar, who is known as a close associate of Sekar Babu, is accused of involvement in a Rs 50-crore land fraud case involving the Srirangam Temple.
According to the charges, Ramkumar allegedly used forged documents to illegally register 7,515 square feet of land belonging to the temple under his own name. In connection with the same land grab case, the police have also arrested five other individuals, including a local Sub-Registrar.
FIR Against Rajya Sabha MP S. Kalyanasundaram
In a separate development, the Tamil Nadu Police registered an FIR against DMK Rajya Sabha MP S. Kalyanasundaram under laws addressing violence against women. Kalyanasundaram serves as an Independent Director and the long-term Chairman of the Kumbakonam Mutual Benefit Fund Nidhi Limited (KMBF).
The case stems from a clash that broke out between DMK and Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) members. The confrontation occurred when Sridevi, a TVK representative, and others attempted to file nominations to contest the election for the KMBF Board of Directors. The term of the previous board had expired, and elections were scheduled under an e-voting system.
Sridevi and other TVK members alleged that when they visited the KMBF head office on September 10 to file nominations, they were blocked by DMK members. The complainants alleged that directors, officials, and others present used abusive language against them. The poll committee subsequently rejected the nominations of Sridevi and four other TVK candidates.
Following a complaint lodged at the Kumbakonam East Police Station, the police registered cases against Kalyanasundaram, former MP Ramalingam, Anbazhagan, and two others. Additionally, the police arrested KMBF Managing Director Velappan, General Manager Karunanidhi, and five other individuals.
Goondas Act Invoked Against Gem Granite Veeramani
The Chennai Police have booked Gem Granite Veeramani and two of his associates, Mahendra Simhan and Shanthi Mahindran, under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, commonly known as the Goondas Act. Chennai Police Commissioner Amalraj ordered the detentions following a police recommendation, citing activities that could affect public order.
Veeramani, who comes from a DMK family, was arrested on August 29 in connection with multiple cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is accused of sexually assaulting minor girls under the age of 14, primarily from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Consequently, he has also been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Tamil Nadu Police is currently investigating the cases. The Madras High Court previously dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the matter and restrained the media from sharing videos featuring the victims. The SIT has completed recording key statements and is expected to file a chargesheet in the first POCSO case within 10 days.
During interrogation, Veeramani reportedly claimed he sold properties worth Rs 150 crore, using half of the amount to pay off police officers to close the case during the DMK regime. He allegedly stated that gold bars were used as bribes through Prakash, the son of Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) General Secretary N. Kannaiah, to avoid cash transactions. Prakash is currently reported to be abroad, and police have issued a Look Out Circular against him.
ED Probe Into Rs 100-Crore School Approval Case
The Enforcement Directorate has launched an investigation into an alleged Rs 100-crore corruption case involving regulatory approvals for private schools. This probe follows an FIR filed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police against former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and his associates.
The case was initiated after Elangovan, the secretary of the Federation of Private School Associations, alleged that money was collected from private school managements. The payments were allegedly made in exchange for permanent institutional recognition, school upgrades, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) approvals, and other government permissions.
On September 29, the CCB conducted searches at five locations in Chennai linked to Poyyamozhi and his associates, Valadi Karthik and Arun Prakash. Earlier searches on September 16 reportedly resulted in the seizure of 118 documents, including real estate property records, bank details, signed cheques, and electronic devices.
