The Madras High Court has denied interim relief to former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Minister E.V. Velu and his son, E.V. Kumaran, in connection with an FIR lodged by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) over the alleged illegal excavation of lake-bed material. The case pertains to the levelling of land for a DMK conference held in December 2025.
The FIR, registered on September 24, 2026, stems from a complaint filed by the anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam. The complaint alleges that approximately 45,72,058 cubic feet of sand and other material were excavated from Malappambadi Lake in Tiruvannamalai district between November and the first week of December 2025. This excavation, allegedly carried out without requisite permissions from the Revenue, Corporation, or Geology and Mining departments, purportedly resulted in a loss of ₹8.22 crore to the public exchequer. The material was reportedly used to level the grounds of “Kalaignar Thidal,” a venue spanning 124.56 acres owned by a private company in which E.V. Kumaran is a director.
E.V. Velu, who was the Minister for Highways, Minor Ports and Public Works at the time of the alleged incident, is accused of misusing his official position to facilitate the excavation and transportation of the lake-bed material. The DVAC has registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The petitioners, Velu and Kumaran, have approached the Madras High Court seeking to quash the FIR, contending that it lacks specific allegations of criminal conduct or abuse of official position and was registered based on surmises and political conjecture. They argue that the FIR was filed only after a change in the state government in May 2026. This is reportedly the second FIR filed against E.V. Velu after the new government assumed office, with the first concerning alleged irregularities in highway construction tenders.
During the hearings, the petitioners’ counsel argued for an ex-parte interim stay against police action. However, Justice V. Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court declined to grant interim protection or stay the proceedings without hearing the respondents. The court directed Velu and Kumaran to approach the appropriate court for anticipatory bail. Notices have been issued to the DVAC, with a returnable date set for November 6, 2026.
The case highlights the intersection of political activities, environmental protection laws, and anti-corruption enforcement. Environmental laws, such as the Environment Protection Act, 1986, prohibit unauthorized excavation of water bodies to prevent ecological damage. Sand mining regulations, governed by state-specific rules, also mandate sustainable practices and prohibit illegal extraction. The DVAC, as a statutory body in Tamil Nadu, is tasked with investigating corruption cases involving public servants.
The FIR details that Malappambadi Lake, covering approximately 70.65 acres, was not included in a district administration notification dated June 19, 2024, which permitted the removal of certain materials. Further, the DVAC noted that Kumaran had not obtained necessary permissions for removing material from this specific lake. The court’s action underscores the judicial scrutiny applied to allegations of environmental violations and corruption, emphasizing the need for specific, verifiable acts to substantiate such claims. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the next significant date being November 6 for the DVAC’s response.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
