Gutka scam: TN governor grants sanction to prosecute two former AIADMK ministers

CHENNAI: A year after the Central Bureau of Investigation sought his nod, Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi on November 13 accorded sanction of prosecution against former AIADMK ministers B V Ramana and C Vijayabaskar in connection with a gutka scam.

Also, the governor on November 18 gave the nod to prosecute former Tamil University vice-chancellor G Baskaran in a corruption case.

This was one of the statements in a report -- "Factual position regarding bills, files and other cases pending with the office of the governor" -- submitted by attorney general R Venkataramani before the Supreme Court on Monday. The apex court was hearing a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the governor’s “inaction, omission, delay any failure” to comply with the constitutional mandate.

“Sanction accorded on November 13,” the report said, giving no reasons for the delay in sanction of prosecution against Ramana and Vijayabaskar. The report, however, noted the date of receipt of request as September 12, 2022.

On the DVAC’s request to prosecute former AIADMK minister K C Veeramani last year, the report said that a duly authenticated investigation report was sought from the government in July this year. The government’s reply was received by Raj Bhavan four days later, stating that an authenticated investigation report was submitted.

“File sent back on November 15 with observations that there is no duly authenticated investigation report in the file. All that is there are a number of authenticated loose sheets. The file was received back again on November 18,” the report said.

The request to prosecute former transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar in a corruption case was also “under consideration” of the Raj Bhavan still. Incidentally, a Raj Bhavan statement on July 6, stated that it had not received any reference in respect of Vijayabaskar from the state government. On Monday, the report stated that the date of receipt of such a request was on May 15.

With regard to gutka scam, the CBI forwarded its investigation report to the state government last year on collection of illegal gratification from the suppliers of mawa/gutka against 11 accused, including the former ministers, two retired IPS officials, S George and T K Rajendran, and seven other officials, before the court of law for the commission of offences punishable under Section 120-B of IPC read with 7, 11, 12, 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and substantive offences thereof, and requested to accord necessary section of prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The public prosecutor of the Madras high court in his legal opinion in July last year stated that the materials available on record disclosed a prima facie case for launching prosecution against two ex-ministers and 11 officials. Subsequently, the chief minister gave his sanction on July 19, 2022, and the file was sent to Raj Bhavan for clearance.

The chief minister also gave the nod to address the Union ministry of home affairs to accord sanction of prosecution in respect of two retired IPS officers under the Prevention of Corruption Act.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss yearly career horoscopes 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.