Farmer Approaches Court Over Medical Colleges Scandal
A farmer from Tiruvarur district has approached the Madras High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the construction of 11 medical colleges during the previous AIADMK government. The petitioner, N Rajasekaran, has specifically named former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in his complaint, noting that the then CM also held the public works department portfolio during the construction period.
Timeline of the Legal Battle
The legal journey began when Rajasekaran first lodged his complaint on July 7, 2021, alleging that the medical colleges and hospitals were not constructed according to National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. The petitioner claimed there were several irregularities in the construction process that needed investigation.
After waiting for four years without any action on his complaint, the farmer approached the Madras High Court for intervention. Following court directions, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter. A more detailed inquiry commenced on April 10, 2023, which according to the petitioner, is still ongoing without significant progress.
Frustration Over Delayed Justice
Expressing his frustration with the pace of investigation, Rajasekaran stated in his petition: "In spite of the submissions made to the high court and directions, no effective action has been taken by the DVAC to date. The inquiry, which was said to have commenced, has not resulted in any concrete outcome or prosecution, thereby defeating the very purpose of my earlier writ petition."
The petitioner has now moved a fresh petition highlighting that there has been no substantial progress in the inquiry even after five years since his original complaint. Among his key demands are a court-ordered CBI investigation into his complaint and the quashing of a government order that revoked consent for CBI and other central agencies to investigate cases in Tamil Nadu.
The plea is expected to be heard in the coming week by a bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
Details of the Medical Colleges Under Scrutiny
The 11 medical colleges at the center of the controversy were built in the following districts: Tiruvallur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Nagapattinam, Virudhunagar, Tiruppur, Krishnagiri, and the Nilgiris. The construction costs for these institutions were shared between the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio, making it a significant public expenditure project that demands accountability and transparency.
