The order of the Madras High Court directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the controversial transfer of Rs. 570 crore through three containers in the run up to the last Assembly elections has left the DMK elated. The party had earlier announced that it would not rest until the State government placed a White Paper on the interception of the three containers in the Legislative Assembly. DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan, who moved the court, in an interview with The Hindu said the party believed that the SBI’s claim over the money was not convincing. Excerpts:
Why did you choose to approach the court seeking a CBI probe when the SBI had clarified that Rs. 570 crore was being transferred from its Coimbatore branch to Visakhapatnam branch?
The SBI came forward to claim the money only 18 hours after a static surveillance team of the Election Commission had intercepted the three containers and (as an interim measure) seized the money. What is the need for the bank to transport such huge money at night? Why did the driver of the vehicle refuse to stop when it was intercepted by the police? These questions have not been answered. The police had to chase the vehicle to stop it.
Would it be proper to doubt the claim of a nationalised bank?
There are clear guidelines (prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India) for transporting money from banks. The procedures were not followed in this case. Armed guards accompany even when a minimum of Rs. 50 lakh is transported to fill ATMs. How could such a huge amount be carried without security guards and documents supporting the claim for its transportation to a bank cellar in a neighbouring State?
Your party had initially decided to raise the issue in the Legislative Assembly. But why did you suddenly take legal recourse?
Were we allowed to speak about the money transfer in the Assembly? Even though the State government claims it has nothing to do with the money, I don’t know why we were prevented from raising the subject. In any case, there is a suspicion over the manner in which the money was transported. In fact, we decided to go to the court when our demand to raise the issue in the Assembly was turned down.
Now that the court has ordered a CBI inquiry, what do you expect the agency to do?
We are happy with the order. The entire case rests on the complaint that the cash was being transferred without supporting documents. Now the investigation agency has to proceed to establish the origin of the money.
