Rejecting the Opposition’s persistent demand to drop Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar from the Cabinet and suspend DGP rank officers T. K. Rajendran and S. George for their alleged role in a suspected gutkha sale scam, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday told the Assembly that the DVAC is probing the charges.
Leader of the Opposition and DMK working president M.K. Stalin drew the attention of Speaker Dhanapal to the gutkha scam for the second consecutive day in the Assembly.
Mr. Stalin’s demand was backed by Congress members .
When the Speaker told Mr. Stalin that the “proof” submitted by him on the issue was under consideration and that the Chief Minister would provide a reply, the DMK leader insisted that he be allowed to raise the issue in the House.
Mr. Stalin sought the resignation of all the officials involved in the alleged scam. “There needs to be a CBI inquiry, and the Chief Minister should immediately remove the Minister and the police officers involved in this,” he demanded. Congress floor leader, K. R. Ramasamy too sought a judicial inquiry into the scam.
Replying to these demands, the Chief Minister said that on December 22, 2016, the then Chennai Police Commissioner had written to the State Home Secretary alleging that some police officers, in connivance with anti-social elements, aided the illegal distribution and sale of gutkha. “The Tamil Nadu government, on January 23, 2017, forwarded this letter to the DVAC. Currently, this case is under investigation by the department,” Mr. Palaniswami contended.
Besides, a case filed by one D. Vincent in the Madras High Court seeking a CBI inquiry came up for hearing on January 27.
The court had found no reason to order an investigation “when the authorities are themselves conscious of the gravity of the issue,” he said quoting the court’s observation.
