Madras HC orders CBI probe into 'irregularities' in purchase of transformers in TN

The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the procurement of 45,000 distribution transformers by the Tamil Nadu government. The court order follows claims that the state exchequer incurred a loss of Rs 397 crore between 2021 and 2023. Petitions were filed by NGO Arappor Iyakkam seeking an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team, while AIADMK legal wing functionaries E Saravanan and Rajkumar sought a CBI probe, alleging that irregularities amounting to Rs 397 crore occurred during the procurement of 45,000 transformers when Senthil Balaji served as the Minister for Electricity under the DMK government. A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arulmurugan, who heard these cases, directed that all related complaints be transferred to the CBI for a detailed investigation. Ordering the CBI to conduct a fresh investigation into this matter, the judges directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to hand over all documents related to the case to the central agency within two weeks. The judges further directed the CBI, upon receiving the documents, to conduct and conclude the investigation expeditiously and to take appropriate action in accordance with the law. They also ordered TANGEDCO, the DVAC, and the Tamil Nadu government to extend their full cooperation to the CBI during the investigation.

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