The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a third letter to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, alleging that bribes amounting to ₹365.87 crore were collected for the transfer and posting of government officers and engineers in the State’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department led by DMK Minister KN Nehru.

In its communication dated 14 January 2026, the ED stated that it had analysed incriminating material recovered from digital devices seized during search operations conducted in April 2025. According to the agency, the seized material included photographs, WhatsApp conversations, documents and transfer orders, which were cross-linked during analysis. The ED said the evidence pointed to multiple instances of bribes being collected in exchange for transfers and postings of MAWS department officials.

The agency claimed that the detailed report showed bribe amounts ranging from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore per transfer. It also provided details of around 340 officers and engineers whose transfer and posting orders were allegedly found stored on the seized devices. The ED asserted that the material constituted direct evidence of money laundering involving proceeds of crime totalling ₹365.87 crore.

In its letter, the ED said the evidence discussed was only a small part of a much larger transfer-and-posting scam operating within government departments. It added that the material was uncovered incidentally during investigations in an unrelated case against certain individuals.

The ED further warned that failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) based on the evidence provided would amount to assisting the accused. It emphasised that Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is stringent and applies to anyone who knowingly assists in the generation or handling of proceeds of crime.

The latest allegations add to a series of cases linked to the MAWS Department. Previous dossiers submitted by central agencies have referred to an alleged “cash-for-jobs” scam involving ₹888 crore and a “bribes-for-contracts” scam amounting to ₹1,020 crore. The current case has been described by the ED as a “bribes-for-transfers” racket.

Cash-for-Jobs Scam – ₹888 crore.
Bribes-for-Contracts Scam – ₹1,020 crore.

And now, yet another disgraceful chapter: Bribes-for-Transfers Scam. Third dossier submitted to TN DGP for action!

These stand as the defining achievements of the DMK government’s Municipal…

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 20, 2026

The agency has urged the Tamil Nadu Police to initiate criminal proceedings based on the material submitted. However, no FIR has been registered so far.

Source: Times of India

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A leaked audio clip purportedly featuring two DMK ward secretaries threatening a Chennai Metro Water assistant engineer over a domestic water connection in Purasaiwalkam has triggered serious allegations of extortion, political intimidation, and systemic corruption in the city’s civic services.

The controversy revolves around a newly constructed house on Sundaram Lane in the Purasawalkam area (Ward 99). According to reports, the homeowner had legally obtained a Metro Water connection. However, the audio suggests that local DMK ward secretaries, identified as R.M. Ranganathan (Ward 89) and Sekar (Ward 90), intervened because they had not received an illicit payment. It is alleged that they pressured a Metro Water engineer to pause or revoke the newly granted connection at a house on Sundaram Lane.

Leaked Audio Reveals Direct Threats

In the audio, a voice identified as Ranganathan is heard berating the engineer for issuing the connection: “Be careful, sir, you’re doing something very wrong. It won’t end well. You’ve just joined—if we make use of our two letter pads tomorrow, you’ll be punished.”

He is heard repeatedly demanding that the ongoing work be stopped, saying he is “roaming on the line” in the area and questioning “who gave you so much courage.”

“What a foolish thing you’ve done… who gave you so much courage, sir? Did a councillor tell you?”

They go on to insist that the connection was given without proper basis, and the most direct threats follow: “We will get the minister to ensure you don’t stay in peace… You will be disgraced with Metro Water itself.”

He also refers to prior neighbourhood demands, claiming residents “insisted a lot,” and that he had photos ready to send to higher officials “to safeguard your job.”

BJP President Slams DMK, Calls It ‘Commission Culture’

Releasing the audio, BJP state president Nainar Nagendran claimed the incident reflected a “commission-driven mindset” entrenched within the ruling DMK. He alleged, “A commission model that threatens the officer who performs his duty—government! An audio recording has surfaced that is shocking: in Chennai’s Purasaivakkam area, two DMK circle secretaries openly threatening an assistant engineer because residents who received Metro Water connections are not paying bribes. Moreover, it is highly condemnable that they have threatened the government employee by saying that to safeguard his job, he must immediately disconnect the connection. Furthermore, openly and vulgarly threatening that if the connection is not disconnected, “We’ll get the minister to screw you” and “I’ll destroy Metro Water”—this reveals the collective arrogance of DMK members. On one side, DMK ministers who fail to provide the people with any basic amenities and merely sing the praises of Gopalapuram; on the other side, DMK brethren who threaten government employees who properly perform their duties, force them to stop work, and plan to siphon off the people’s money through bribes and commissions. The DMK, which thus bands together in a single line to loot and plunder Tamil Nadu, is a danger to all of us!”

கடமையைச் செய்யும் அதிகாரியை மிரட்டும் கமிஷன் மாடல் அரசு!

சென்னை புரசைவாக்கம் பகுதியில் மெட்ரோ வாட்டர் இணைப்பு பெற்ற குடியிருப்பாளர்களிடமிருந்து லஞ்சம் வராததால், உதவிப் பொறியாளருக்குத் திமுக வட்டச் செயலாளர்கள் இருவர் பகிரங்கமாக மிரட்டல் விடுக்கும் ஒலிப்பதிவு வெளியாகியுள்ளது… pic.twitter.com/wAGTDM7sAr

— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) November 24, 2025

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A senior official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has been arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹1.5 lakh to process the takeover of a private temple in Coimbatore district.

According to officials, Assistant Commissioner Indira was caught red-handed by DVAC personnel while receiving the bribe amount on Bharathiyar Road, near the HR&CE office. The operation was based on a complaint filed by Suresh Kumar; an administrator of a privately managed temple located in Pappampatti village near Sulur.

The temple, which reportedly earns an annual revenue of ₹40 lakh, had been the subject of complaints over alleged financial mismanagement. Suresh Kumar had petitioned the HR&CE Department to bring the temple under government control, citing lack of accountability in its administration. Following this, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had ordered the department to take appropriate action within 12 weeks.

During the preliminary departmental follow-up, Assistant Commissioner Indira allegedly demanded ₹3 lakh from the petitioner to initiate the process of transferring the temple’s management under HR&CE control. When the petitioner expressed his inability to pay the full amount, she reportedly agreed to settle for ₹1.5 lakh.

Acting on the complaint, DVAC officials set up a trap and apprehended Indira while she was accepting the bribe. The entire incident was also reportedly captured on CCTV footage.

The accused officer is currently being interrogated at the DVAC office, and a case has been registered against her. The arrest of a high-ranking HR&CE official in such circumstances has sparked widespread concern among department staff and the public alike.

(With inputs from One India Tamil)

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A disturbing video showing a police officer violently attacking a pregnant woman at a police station who came to file sexual harassment case has sparked widespread outrage.

The victim, Madhumitha, a resident of Kanakamma Chatram in Tiruvallur district, had approached the local police to lodge a complaint against Shivaji, a nearby bakery owner. Shivaji, despite being married, had reportedly obtained her phone number through a third party and began sending her obscene messages and pressuring her to meet him, amounting to persistent sexual harassment.

Five months into her pregnancy, Madhumitha, accompanied by another woman named Dhanam, Sevanthi, went to the Kanakamma Chatram police station to report the abuse. However, instead of receiving support, the women were allegedly met with hostility by a police officer named Raman, who is said to have sided with the accused.

Eyewitnesses and the viral video reveal that Officer Raman physically assaulted both women and acted in a degrading manner toward Madhumitha, including allegedly pulling at her clothing; an act perceived as an attempt to humiliate her. The two women were then reportedly forced out of the police station without their complaint being registered.

The incident has provoked condemnation from across the political and social spectrum, with many calling for immediate disciplinary action against both the officer involved and the accused harasser, Shivaji. The case has once again raised serious concerns about the treatment of women, especially vulnerable women, within police systems meant to protect them

Speaking to the media, the victim’s family said, “My aunt’s daughter who is five months pregnant came home. She was pushed aside assaulted, hit in the stomach and on the head. When my sister went to inquire about it, my sister was also beaten. When we went to the police station to file a complaint, they had taken money from Sivaji. Three people were sitting there, we don’t know their names, but we know Sivaji well. When we went there, they verbally abused us terribly, assaulted us, pushed us out, and he used very inappropriate language and touched us inappropriately. That police officer, Raman, touched us in inappropriate places. Action needs to be taken against him. The Chief Minister should take appropriate action and punish him.”

Following the incident, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran strongly criticized the actions of the police officer and called on the Chief Minister to step in and ensure justice is served. In a post on social media platform X, he stated, “A video has surfaced, causing great shock, showing a police officer brutally attacking three women, including a five-month pregnant woman, who went to the Kanakammachathiram police station in Tiruvallur district to file a complaint about sexual harassment. From where did the police officer get the audacity to accept bribes from the accused and mercilessly assault the victims? Has humanity eroded so much in the police that they would stoop to attacking a poor pregnant woman? If the police, who are supposed to protect victims from criminals, are the ones attacking the victims, I don’t understand where to seek justice in the Dravidian model of governance. I strongly urge the Honorable Chief Minister, Mr.@mkstalin, to immediately intervene in this incident that questions the dignity of the police force, conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action against the police officer who in a display of arrogance and power acted as a source of anarchy by attacking three women.”

திருவள்ளூர் மாவட்டம், கனகம்மாசத்திரம் காவல்நிலையத்தில் பாலியல் தொல்லை குறித்து புகார் அளிக்கச் சென்ற 5 மாதக் கர்ப்பிணி உட்பட மூன்று பெண்களை காவலர் கொடூரமாக தாக்கியதாக வெளிவந்துள்ள காணொளி மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.

குற்றஞ்சாட்டப் பட்டவரிடம் கையூட்டு பெற்றுக் கொண்டு… pic.twitter.com/WUAPr42Lnb

— Nainar Nagenthiran (@NainarBJP) June 24, 2025

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The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has registered a case against a motor vehicle inspector for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹20,000 to register a new SUV. The inspector, identified as Perumal, was caught in a controversy after an audio recording of him allegedly seeking the bribe went viral on social media.

According to officials, the complaint was lodged by R Suresh Packiam, who had purchased an SUV last year. He had reportedly paid ₹4,35,490 as registration fees, taxes, and a late fee at the Valliyoor registration office. However, Perumal allegedly refused to process the registration unless he was paid an additional ₹20,000. The demand was made both in person and over a phone call with the complainant’s friend, Lawrance, a councillor of the Valliyoor town panchayat.

Suresh stated that he had already transferred ₹10,000 through a digital payment to Perumal’s broker, following the inspector’s instructions. However, when an additional ₹5,000 was demanded, he decided to approach the DVAC. Acting on the department’s advice, he attempted to hand over chemically laced currency notes to Perumal as part of a trap. However, the inspector was allegedly alerted by a broker before he could accept the money.

Following a preliminary inquiry, E Mcclarine Eskhol, Additional Superintendent of Police, DVAC, registered a case against Perumal under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act. Further investigations have been initiated into the allegations. Meanwhile, the leaked phone conversation has fueled outrage on social media, drawing attention to corruption in the vehicle registration process.

TIRUNELVELI: The district unit of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption recently registered a case against a motor vehicle inspector for demanding a bribe of Rs 20,000 for registering a new SUV in Valliyoor. A phone conversation in which the inspector, identified as… pic.twitter.com/CQbhKcz2KA

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) February 18, 2025

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

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A financial dispute over a job transfer led to a violent altercation among police personnel in Egmore on Tuesday (4 February 2025) night, leaving a 39-year-old constable with a fractured leg and prompting a departmental inquiry. Three constables involved in the attack have been placed under suspension.

The injured officer, R. Ranganathan, a patrol vehicle driver attached to the Triplicane police station, was allegedly assaulted by his colleagues Anand (33), Sundararajan (38), and Manibabu (30)—all of whom had served together in the Armed Reserve unit for over a decade.

According to investigations, the dispute stemmed from Ranganathan’s request for assistance in securing a transfer to a Law and Order police station. Sundararajan, an Armed Reserve constable, reportedly demanded a bribe in return for facilitating the transfer. While the transfer was ultimately approved, Ranganathan allegedly paid only half the agreed amount, leading to mounting tensions between the officers.

On that night, the four met in Egmore, where an argument escalated into violence. Ranganathan sustained a fractured leg in the scuffle before Egmore police intervened and detained the three officers.

Following the incident, Anand, Sundararajan, and Manibabu were suspended, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated into the matter.

(With inputs from DT Next)

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On 8 January 2025, Kanyakumari Superintendent of Police (SP) R Stalin suspended a Special Sub-Inspector (SSI) on corruption charges.

The action followed a complaint against Satheesh Kumar, the SSI of Suchindram police station, accusing him of accepting a bribe from a temple administrator.

A temple festival was being held in the Anju Kudiryiruppu area, and devotional songs were being played through loudspeakers. When Satheesh Kumar came to the area during his patrol, he complained about being very loud and demanded a bribe.

A viral video circulating on social media showed the SSI receiving money from the temple official.

Following this, the district SP launched an investigation, confirming Satheesh’s involvement in corrupt practices. Consequently, the SP ordered his suspension from duty, a decision that has been widely appreciated.

மறச்சி கொடு.. மறச்சி கொடு..! கோயில் நிர்வாகியிடம் லஞ்சம் வாங்கிய சிறப்பு உதவி ஆய்வாளர்.. தக்க பாடம் புகட்டிய எஸ்.பி..#kanniyakumari | #Police | #Bribery | #ViralVideo | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/iYIfcR6EGL

— Polimer News (@polimernews) January 9, 2025

(With inputs From The Hindu)

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A video has surfaced showing Pushpa, a hospital employee at the Government Medical College Hospital in Dindigul, accepting a bribe while prescribing medicine to an injured patient in the hospital’s sixth ward. The incident, which took place in one of the busiest hospitals in the region, has shocked the public, as the hospital handles over a thousand outpatients daily from Dindigul city and surrounding areas.

The Government Medical College Hospital, known for treating a wide range of ailments, including accidents and childbirth, had been previously recognized for its commitment to maintaining a corruption-free environment. However, this video, which went viral on social media, has raised serious concerns about the state of medical ethics at the hospital.

மருந்து கட்டிவிட்டு நோயாளிகளிடம் லஞ்சம் வாங்கும் மருத்துவமனை ஊழியர்.!#Dindigul #Bribery #GH #GovtHospital #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/7xUKi03XIF

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) January 9, 2025

Following the video’s circulation, the hospital authorities have taken swift action, suspending Pushpa and launching an investigation into the matter. This incident highlights growing concerns about bribery within the healthcare system, leaving the public questioning the efficacy of measures to prevent such practices.

The suspension of Pushpa follows widespread public outcry, with many expressing disbelief that such incidents could occur in a public healthcare institution. Authorities have assured that further actions will be taken in line with hospital policies.

(With inputs from Lokal App)

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Chaos broke out at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, a government-run Hospital for Women and Children in Egmore, as relatives of a newborn girl staged a protest, accusing the hospital of negligence that led to the baby’s death. The family claimed the child was born healthy but tragically passed away due to improper care by medical staff.

The grieving relatives also alleged that hospital staff demanded bribes to allow parents to see their newborns, charging ₹1,500 for male babies and ₹1,000 for female babies. These serious accusations have fueled public outrage and raised concerns about unethical practices at the hospital.

Speaking to the media, the relatives of a grieving couple, Sabeena and Jeevanantham from Kanikapuram, recounted their tragic experience at the Egmore Government Children’s Hospital. The couple had arrived at the hospital last 7 December when Sabeena began experiencing labour pains. She was admitted, and the staff manually broke the amniotic fluid. However, the relatives alleged that there was no response or follow-up care from the staff after this procedure until Sabeena herself called for assistance.

The baby, a girl weighing 3 kilograms, was delivered without complications, and multiple tests, including checks on her heartbeat, indicated that she was healthy. Relatives claimed that all test results showed no issues, and they blamed the negligence of the doctors and hospital staff for the child’s sudden and unexplained death.

Another relative also made serious accusations of bribery by hospital staff. He stated, “When we enter the hospital, they demand ₹50 for admission. Immediately after the baby born, they say, ‘If you give ₹1,000, we’ll let you see the child.’ When I offered ₹500, they refused and sent me out, saying, ‘Pay ₹1,000, or wait outside.’”

The staff brazenly pointed to the complaint box, daring anyone to file a grievance. A relative added, “If we have to pay money and see our child, wouldn’t we do that elsewhere? Why are we coming to government hospital then? They are quoting rates the moment we enter—₹1,500 for a male baby and ₹1,000 for a female baby.”

The allegations of medical negligence and unethical practices at the hospital have sparked outrage, with calls for immediate investigations and accountability for the actions of the staff involved.

எடை 3 கிலோ.. Heart Beat நல்லா இருந்துச்சு.. பிறந்த ஒரு நாள் குழந்தைக்கு என்ன ஆனது? டாக்டர்களின் அலட்சியமா? உச்சக்கட்ட கோபத்தில் உறவினர்கள்!#Chennai #GovtHospital #Infant #Death #Family #Protest #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/gOmwByxN8N

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) December 10, 2024

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Jahangir Basha, the Udhagamandalam Municipality Commissioner, was caught red-handed by the DVAC on the night of 9 November 2024 while receiving a bribe. A sum of ₹11.7 lakh was seized from him, and an FIR was filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act the following day. However, to the shock of many, it is alleged that Basha was recently promoted to the position of Assistant Commissioner at the Tirunelveli Corporation.

Jahangir Basha, who was booked by DVAC two weeks ago in Ooty, has been posted as Assistant Commissioner, Tirunelveli corporation? https://t.co/5MugsNunnG pic.twitter.com/NmQsoOUyMD

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) November 26, 2024

According to The New Indian Express, Basha was traveling in a taxi to Coimbatore railway station when the DVAC team intercepted the vehicle and discovered the unaccounted cash. During questioning, Basha confessed that he had received the money as a bribe to approve illegal building constructions. A tip-off had led to the raid, and a DVAC official confirmed that Basha would often transport the bribe money to his hometown.

Jahangir Basha had assumed the role of Udhagamandalam Municipal Commissioner in August, after serving as the Municipal Commissioner in Theni. Despite not being arrested immediately, he was initially removed from his post and placed on a waiting list. Basha’s rapid promotion has drawn significant criticism, with many questioning the propriety of the decision given the corruption allegations against him.

Meanwhile, other recent transfers include Erode Municipal Assistant Commissioner Krishnamoorthy, who has been moved to Krishnagiri as the Municipal Commissioner, and Krishnagiri’s Stanley Babu, who has been appointed as the Ooty Municipal Commissioner. Karthikeyan, the Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Drinking Water Supply Department officially confirmed the transfers.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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