In a major security breach at the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) on Anna Salai, at least 18 hard disks containing confidential official records were reportedly stolen, raising concerns about possible sabotage and attempts to destroy evidence linked to procurement and tender-related matters, as reported in Times of India.
According to officials, the stolen hard disks contained sensitive data relating to tenders, purchases, administrative records and ongoing investigations. Sources indicated that records connected to coal procurement, which were maintained by the material management departments, appeared to be among the primary targets. While hard-copy records remain available, crucial electronic records stored on the missing hard disks have reportedly been lost.
The theft is believed to have taken place during the weekend of May 16 and 17, when staffing levels at the headquarters were minimal. The incident occurred shortly after newly appointed Electricity Minister R. Nirmalkumar visited the department and reportedly warned officials that wrongdoing within the department would not be tolerated.
The disappearance of the data came to light around 20 May 2026 when employees from multiple sections discovered that project files and official records had vanished from their computer systems. Subsequent checks by system administrators reportedly revealed that the hard disks themselves had been physically removed from the computers.
Although at least 18 hard disks are understood to have been stolen, departmental complaints were reportedly filed in connection with only eight of them. Sources indicated that certain departments, including the finance wing, were reluctant to formally report the theft either to the Chairman and Managing Director of TNEB or to the utility’s vigilance authorities. Officials responsible for maintaining the data and hardware were also reportedly unwilling to approach the police directly with complaints.
The losses were reported by officials handling tenders, procurement and administrative functions. Complaints were submitted to senior TNEB authorities by eight officials, including assistant engineers, assistant executive engineers and section officers.
The complaints were initially referred to the TNEB vigilance wing headed by Additional Director General of Police Ayush Mani Tiwari. A special team was subsequently constituted to trace the missing hard disks. The stolen devices were reportedly removed from offices located on the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth floors of the TNEB headquarters building.
The incident has also drawn attention to the absence of surveillance infrastructure in several sensitive sections of the headquarters. Sources stated that CCTV cameras in many of these offices had been removed more than five years ago. Allegations have since surfaced that the cameras were taken down to ensure there would be no visual record of brokers and intermediaries who allegedly frequented the premises while facilitating deals linked to procurement and contract-related irregularities.
Officials familiar with the matter stated that the vigilance department had repeatedly recommended the installation of CCTV surveillance systems. However, the Superintending Engineer in charge of buildings had reportedly opposed the proposal on the grounds that the expenditure involved was excessive.
Following the discovery of the theft, the Chintadripet police registered a case under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A police team headed by Triplicane Deputy Commissioner of Police D. Jayachandran has commenced an investigation into the incident.
The theft has occurred at a time when multiple investigations concerning alleged irregularities in TANGEDCO tenders are underway. Recently, the Madras High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe an alleged ₹397-crore transformer procurement scam amid allegations of cartelisation among bidders and inflated pricing.
In addition, central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, are reportedly examining financial transactions linked to electricity department tenders awarded between 2021 and 2023. Investigators are expected to examine whether the missing hard disks contained records relevant to any of these ongoing inquiries.
18 HARD DISKS WITH SENSITIVE DATA STOLEN FROM TNEB HQ
IT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL DETAILS ABOUT TENDERS, PURCHASES AND INVESTIGATIONSIn a brazen act of sabotage, at least 18 hard disks contai-ning confidential data, particu-larly records related to tenders, purchases and ongoing… pic.twitter.com/frtBGvMUpz
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) June 4, 2026
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