The Hindu : DVAC begins `ransom' probe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 18, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

DVAC begins `ransom' probe

By Our Special Correspondent

The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, having a laugh at mediapersons, who rushed to his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai on Thursday morning to check on the DVAC probe into alleged payment of a ransom in the Rajkumar kidnap case. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI APRIL 17. Armed with a government order, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has begun an enquiry into alleged payment of a ransom for securing the release of the Kannada actor, Rajkumar, from the forest brigand, Veerappan, during the previous DMK regime.

However, official sources remain tightlipped on the process. The government communication has been received and the ``process of starting the enquiry is on'' is all they would say. Though it is only at the enquiry level, the matter will be dealt with in detail. The normal practice is that after the enquiry, a report will be sent to the Government. The question of registering a first information report will be considered thereafter. Only after the case is registered will full-fledged investigation commence, say the sources.

However, an unfazed DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, today told presspersons that he would tell the police all details of Veerappan kidnaps, which occurred during not only the DMK rule but also the previous AIADMK regime.

``No, no'' was the reply by a visibly relaxed Mr. Karunanidhi to a question whether he was informed of the date and time the DVAC would question him.

``So far, they (DVAC) have not come to me'', he said, shrugging off all questions why the probe was ordered.

Given the nature of the allegations and the personalities involved, the probe is likely to cover the film industry of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Today's order to the DVAC followed an announcement by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the Assembly that she had ordered an enquiry by the DVAC into ``payment of ransom'', particularly Mr. Karunanidhi's role in it. She explained that the book, Veerappan's prize catch: Rajkumar, by the former Karnataka Director-General of Police, C. Dinakar, was not only informative but it also unmasked certain persons in Tamil Nadu. She asked, ``Out of the ransom amount, how much money was retained by Mr. Karunanidhi?''

The focus of the enquiry may be on Mr. Dinakar and Mr. Rajkumar and it remains to be seen what they will tell the investigating agency, if at all they are questioned. The DVAC may be banking on Mr. Dinakar to take the enquiry forward.

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