The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has reopened its investigation into a ₹27.9 crore bribery case against former Housing Minister R. Vaithilingam, who served during the AIADMK government, as per reports.
According to officials, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has ordered a fresh probe into allegations that Vaithilingam received ₹27.9 crore as illegal gratification from a private construction company in exchange for extending official favours during his tenure in office.
The case was originally registered on 24 February 2024, during the DMK government’s tenure following a complaint alleging that the former minister had accepted the bribe amount from the private firm. The matter was subsequently taken up for investigation by the DVAC.
However, during a recent hearing before a court, it emerged that the bribery case against Vaithilingam had been closed by the investigating agency in February 2026.
The disclosure triggered criticism from various quarters, with questions being raised over the timing of the closure. Critics questioned whether the decision to close the case was linked to Vaithilingam’s political move after he resigned as an MLA in January 2026, quit the AIADMK, and subsequently joined the DMK.
The controversy attracted renewed public and political attention, prompting calls for greater scrutiny of the circumstances under which the investigation had been closed.
The Enforcement Directorate also challenged the closing of the case.
Following the backlash, Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Arun reportedly ordered a re-investigation into the allegations. Acting on the directive, the DVAC has now reopened the case and initiated a fresh inquiry into both the bribery allegations and the circumstances surrounding the earlier closure of the investigation.
Officials said the renewed probe would examine all aspects of the complaint and review the materials gathered during the earlier investigation.
The investigation is currently underway. Authorities have not disclosed any further details regarding the scope of the inquiry or the timeline for its completion.
DVAC REOPENS ₹27.9 CRORE BRIBERY CASE AGAINST FORMER MINISTER VAITHILINGAM
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) reopened its investigation into a ₹27.9 crore bribery case against former Housing Minister Vaithilingam, who served during the AIADMK regime. The… pic.twitter.com/ao4K5WNqtl
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) June 12, 2026
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