Tamil Nadu Government Authorizes DVAC to Investigate Municipal Corruption Allegations
The Tamil Nadu government informed the Madras High Court on Friday that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has been officially tasked with conducting a comprehensive inquiry into corruption allegations against the state's municipal administration department. This investigation is based on crucial information shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), marking a significant development in the state's anti-corruption efforts.
Legal Authorization Under Prevention of Corruption Act
Advocate-General P S Raman, representing the state's home department, confirmed that the government has granted DVAC the necessary permission to conduct this inquiry under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This legal authorization provides the investigative agency with the formal framework to proceed with its examination of the serious allegations.
Detailed Timeline of Government Action
According to a four-page status report filed by the government, the process began when the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) received communication from the Enforcement Directorate. This information was promptly forwarded to the state government for consideration. The government then took decisive action through a letter dated November 1, 2025, requesting DVAC to take appropriate measures in the matter.
DVAC responded with a letter dated November 4, 2025, requesting the state government to provide necessary prior approval to conduct a detailed inquiry based on the ED's report dated October 27, 2025. This request was subsequently endorsed by the Tamil Nadu Vigilance Commission on November 7, 2025, adding another layer of official validation to the process.
Formal Permission and Inquiry Registration
The Tamil Nadu government granted formal permission to DVAC through letters dated December 9, 2025, and January 12, 2026, specifically under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This legal provision authorizes DVAC to conduct a thorough investigation into the corruption allegations against the municipal administration department.
Following this authorization, DVAC officially registered a detailed inquiry on December 12, 2025. The status report confirms that this inquiry is currently in progress, with investigators actively examining the evidence and allegations presented by the Enforcement Directorate.
Court Proceedings and Future Timeline
During the court proceedings, counsel for the Director General of Police requested additional time to file a comprehensive report. In response, the bench directed the DGP to submit an action taken report by January 27, 2026. The hearing has been adjourned to January 28, 2026, when the court will review the progress made in this significant corruption investigation.
This development represents a coordinated effort between multiple government agencies - including the Enforcement Directorate, Tamil Nadu Vigilance Commission, and DVAC - to address corruption allegations at the municipal administration level. The involvement of these agencies underscores the seriousness with which the state government is treating these allegations and its commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
