On 12 August 2025, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up to probe the large-scale property tax scam in the Madurai Corporation, made significant progress by arresting two key individuals. Pon Vasanth, husband of Madurai DMK Mayor Indrani, was apprehended in Chennai, while former Assistant Commissioner Suresh Kumar was taken into custody in Thoothukudi.
Vasanth, previously suspended from the DMK in May for activities deemed detrimental to the party, was arrested just hours after Suresh Kumar, who is currently posted in the Thoothukudi Corporation, was detained in connection with the same case.
The SIT was formed following orders from the Madras High Court to investigate serious allegations of manipulation within the corporation’s property tax system. The scam involves deliberate tampering of the Urban Tree Information System (UTIS) used for assessing property tax values. Investigators allege that the software was misused to underreport property values, leading to substantial financial losses estimated in crores for the municipal body.
The probe has already led to a string of arrests over recent months. Among those previously detained are DMK functionary Kannan husband of Ward 51 Councillor and Taxation and Finance Committee Chairperson K. Vijayalakshmi as well as Senthil Pandi, a bill collector from Ward 96. Police say Kannan played a pivotal role by directly liaising with beneficiaries who profited from the undervalued tax assessments.
While Vijayalakshmi was summoned and questioned by the SIT, sources indicate she has so far only been asked to appear for further inquiries. Earlier stages of the investigation also resulted in the arrest of A. Rengarajan, then Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), along with six other bill collectors, intermediaries, and temporary employees of the corporation.
Authorities say the investigation is far from over, with efforts underway to track down everyone involved in the widespread malpractice.
(With inputs from Times Of India)
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