CHENNAI: Madras High Court on Monday directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the seizure of Rs 570 crore from three containers in Tirupur district on the eve of the May 16 Assembly elections. The seizure of so much cash had kicked up a huge political row with major Opposition parties alleging irregularities in handling of the issue by the state administration and the Election Commission.
The direction to the CBI came on a petition filed by DMK Rajya Sabha MP TKS Elangovan alleged that the trucks carrying the cash had displayed bogus registration numbers and the currency bundles had Axis Bank seals, although the cash was claimed by State Bank of India.
The State’s Opposition leaders welcomed the Madras High Court ordering a CBI probe on Monday into the seizure of Rs 570 crore in three containers in Tiruppur during the election campaign last May. The Leader of the Opposition, M.K. Stalin, speaking to the media at Gopalapuram, said the CBI enquiry would also reveal how the 2016 Assembly elections were conducted in the State.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss said the explanations given by the Election Commission and government were not beyond doubt and the conduct of the banks involved was mysterious. The CBI enquiry would clear all the doubts over the money seizure, he added. He urged all those involved in the issue to extend their support to the probe.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko welcomed the CBI probe saying that full-fledged probe would reveal the truth. VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan and CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan too welcomed it. "The probe should be conducted within a time frame and the details should be made public. Strict punishment should be given to those who had indulged in any wrongdoings," Mr Mutharasan demanded.
