Madras HC orders SIT probe into DVAC cash recovery case
Madurai: Madras high court has observed that the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) was functioning “only for namesake”, by registering around 100 cases a year “to show that they are functioning.” The court said this while ordering a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into
By Ram Sundaram
Madurai: Madras high court has observed that the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) was functioning “only for namesake”, by registering around 100 cases a year “to show that they are functioning.” The court said this while ordering a probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into a dispute over cash recovered from a fire and rescue services office.Justice B Pugalendhi was hearing a petition filed by G Senthilkumar, a fire service employee and second accused in a DVAC case, who sought transfer of the investigation.Senthilkumar claimed that ₹2.25 lakh recovered during a surprise check at the Tirunelveli office of deputy director of fire and rescue services, Saravana Babu had been planted as part of a conspiracy to retaliate against the officer for an earlier complaint that led to a forged fire licence case.To support the claim, the petitioner relied on CCTV footage collected from a house opposite the office.
The footage was played before the court and showed a person arriving at the office around midnight carrying a parcel, entering the premises using a key and later leaving without it.
Recording its findings, the court said, “This circumstance lends support to the allegation that some material may have been brought into the office before the surprise check.”The court noted that a separate FIR had already been registered over the alleged midnight entry and that several people had been implicated in that case.Holding that the matter required an independent inquiry, the court directed the director general of police to constitute a special investigation team headed by DIG Santhosh Hadimani, Salem range.
The SIT will investigate both cases, including allegations against officials of the fire and rescue services department and the DVAC, and submit a status report by October 7.“The investigation must not only be fair but must also appear to be fair,” the court said, adding that only an inquiry free from departmental influence would inspire confidence and bring the truth on record.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in MaduraiStay updated with the latest Madurai news.
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