Another ex-DMK minister comes under DVAC scanner

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Yet another former DMK Minister came under the scanner of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti- Corruption whose officials conducted searches at the premises of K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and his relatives in Chennai and Virudhunagar district on Wednesday.

On specific information that Ramachandran, while serving as Minister for Health and later Minister for Backward Classes during the 2006-11 DMK regime, had allegedly acquired various properties in his name and that of his family to the tune of several lakhs of rupees, an inquiry was conducted, a DVAC release said.

"In the preliminary enquiry, a prima facie (case) has been made out that Ramachandran has accumulated assets in his name and in the name of his family members disproportionate to his known sources of income," and a case was registered under different sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, it said.

As an 'essential part of investigation,' searches were being conducted at nine places in Chennai and Virudhunagar including the residential and commercial premises of Ramachandran, his sons and some other relatives, it added.

Ramachandran described the action as 'vindictive,' and said they will face the matter under the leadership of party chief M Karunanidhi.

Ramachandran, a party strongman from Virudhunagar, is the latest among several DMK leaders and former Ministers besides MLAS to have faced police and DVAC action either on land grab charges or allegations of disproportionate assets. The other former Ministers include Veerapandi Arumugam, K.N. Nehru, K. Ponmudy and Duraimurugan.

DVAC had last month raided the residences of Duraimurugan and his relatives at some places in the state.