Stalin, Ramadoss hit out at Chief Secretary for hiding document from Madras HC

CHENNAI: DMK working president M.K. Stalin and PMK founder S.Ramadoss on Friday charged Chief Secretary Girija Vaidhyanathan with hiding the income tax department letter on gutka scam in the Madras High Court probing the petition against the appointment of DGP T.K. Rajendran.

He said the IT department had sent several letters to the Chief Secretary on the gutka scam. Besides, he pointed out the IT department, in a reply to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption which sought the report on gutka scam had clearly stated that it had been submitted to the Chief Secretary.

Stalin asked “Is it proper for the chief of all the IAS officers in the state to hide the IT department’s letter on gutka scam? How did the chief secretary consent to promote a police official who should face a probe in gutka scam? How did the UPSC which had averred in the Supreme Court that it would not extend the tenure of an official after retirement agreed to the move?”

He also demanded a CBI probe into the irregularities in promoting T.K. Rajendran and it alone would bring out the bribery for gutka sale scam, Stalin said.

Ramadoss, in a harsher statement said hiding the corruption document in the high court would amount to defrauding the high court and an ‘unforgivable crime’. The state government going to the extent of lying in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court showed that it would go to any extent to protect the minister and officials involved in the gutka scam.

The court should enquire into the matter separately, besides ordering a CBI probe on gutka scam.