A public interest litigation has been filed at the Madras High Court Bench here against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MLA R. Samy for his alleged role in running a gambling club near Madurai.
The petitioner, C. Thiruppathi, an advocate, claimed that the MLA ‘maintained’ a recreation club namely ‘Diamond Jubilee Club’ in Melur. The Madurai district police had conducted raids in the club twice in 2012 and found gambling activities taking place inside the club, he claimed.
Subsequently, criminal complaints were registered against the persons involved in gambling and they were convicted, the petitioner added.
The properties of the club have increased in the past few months due to illegal gambling, he further said.
According to the petitioner, all the members of the club were supporters of Mr. Samy. The club is located adjacent to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School and a few members of the club consumed alcohol and smoked during the school hours, he alleged.
The petitioner further claimed that a person named Murugesan alias ‘Karunchattai’ Murugesan got exorbitant money from the owners of granite quarries in Melur to suppress facts pertaining to their alleged involvement in illegal quarrying.
Mr. Thiruppathi said he had sent a representation on March 21 this year to the Madurai district police, the commissioner of income tax and the chief secretary of Tamil Nadu to initiate necessary action against the MLA and Mr Murugesan. He moved the court because his representation was not considered, he added.
In his petition, he pleaded that the court should direct the commissioner of income tax, Madurai, to take necessary action against the MLA and Mr Murugesan.