Chennai: Leaders, including DMK working president MK Stalin, on Tuesday demanded action on police officials who face allegations of taking a bribe for gutka sale.
Recalling the Income Tax raids on gutka and pan masala godowns, Stalin said the evidence of payment of bribes to police officials had been unearthed by I-T officials and those who stocked gutka and supplied it to the city had been identified.
Stalin said DGP Ashok Kumar and additional commissioner Arunachalam, who initiated investigation, had been transferred by the state government, paralysing the enquiry into the charges.
He charged that those involved in gutka scam had been protected by the government and said police higher officials who should supervise the lower level staff had indulged themselves in the 'maamool culture'. It only showed that the government had helped the sale of gutka and pan masala that would spoil the future generation of the state and would not be ashamed to act against people's welfare.
He appealed to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to set up an enquiry commission headed by a sitting judge of the Madras HC and initiate stern measures on those involved in bribery for gutka sale. He also demanded the immediate suspension of police officials involved.
Echoing similar views, TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar said ministers and police officials had joined hands to allow the illicit sale of gutka in the state. The I-T department should come out with details of ministers and police officials involved in the scam, he said.
