HC orders DVAC probe into irregularities in govt infra tenders

Chennai: Madras high court on Thursday directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to conduct an inquiry and take appropriate action regarding alleged contract irregularities worth several crores in various departments of the state govt.Justice G K Ilanthirayan passed the order on a plea moved by Veerappan, a resident of Villupuram, alleging that information obtained through RTI has brought to light that several contracts floated by the state govt have been awarded to a particular company based on forged documents, resulting in substantial financial loss to the govt.Representing the state, advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the chief engineer of PWD has constituted a committee on May 26, to investigate the alleged irregularities.Recording the submission, the court directed the committee to complete its inquiry within eight weeks and submit a report to the DVAC. The court further directed the DVAC to conduct an appropriate investigation based on the committee’s report and to take legal action against any persons found responsible for the alleged irregularities.According to the petitioner, since 2022, at least 12 infrastructure contracts across different govt departments were obtained by two companies—Sea Rock Infrastructures and Sri Pathy Associates Pvt Ltd—through forged documents and certificates.The projects include construction work for the Tamil Nadu Housing Board at CIT Nagar and Mogappair, desilting work at the mouth of the Kosasthalaiyar River in Ennore, construction of 294 apartment units at A V Pathi Nagar in Thanjavur, and irrigation infrastructure and flood-prevention work undertaken by the water resources department in Pudukkottai, Ranipet, and Mayiladuthurai districts.The petitioner alleged that the two companies participated in govt tenders by portraying themselves as competitors while ensuring that no genuine competitors could participate. “Representations had been submitted in Aug 2025 to the DVAC, the water resources department, and the PWD, but no action had been taken so far,” he said.