A senior AIADMK functionary’s son, Bhoopalan, is under investigation for allegedly amassing assets through bribery, with properties purchased by his father, Chennakrishnan, a former Salem Transport Corporation conductor.
The Salem DVAC has filed a case and is probing the matter. Bhoopalan, a 36-year-old man from Navalpatti near Mettur in Salem district, serves as an assistant at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Labor Welfare in Erode. His father, Chennakrishnan, previously worked as a conductor for the Salem State Transport Corporation and was also the secretary of the Anna Trade Union during the AIADMK’s previous tenure.
The Salem Anti-Corruption Police have investigated Bhoopalan for acquiring assets far beyond his known income. Disturbing details have surfaced in the inquiry. Bhoopalan joined the government service in 2017 as an Assistant (OA), earning a monthly salary of ₹30,000. However, an asset review up to 2022 revealed that his wealth had grown by an astonishing 1,188%, amounting to over ₹1 crore 9 lakh. Over the six years since his employment, his total salary amounted to only ₹9.22 lakh, yet he owns several properties in Mettur and Karuppur.
New information has come to light regarding how Bhoopalan accumulated such wealth. His father, Chennakrishnan, had served as a conductor in the Salem Transport Corporation before being appointed Secretary of the Salem Zone Anna Transport Corporation during the AIADMK’s previous regime. In that role, he is said to have amassed considerable sums of money, reportedly from transfers of employees such as branch managers, engineers, conductors, and drivers, as well as from transport route deals.
Following a complaint about illicit asset accumulation, the Anti-Corruption Police began investigating Chennakrishnan two years ago. During that investigation, it was discovered that Chennakrishnan had purchased multiple properties under his son’s name, Bhoopalan. As a result, a case has now been filed against Bhoopalan, and the investigation into Chennakrishnan continues, with a charge sheet almost ready. Chennakrishnan retired from service last year but has not received any retirement benefits due to the ongoing case. Notably, Bhoopalan’s current involvement in a bribery investigation stems from actions linked to his father’s illicit activities.
(With inputs from Dinakaran)
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