Health minister main culprit in RK Nagar bribery: Election Commission

CHENNAI: In a damning statement, the Election Commission told the Madras high court that

health minister C Vijayabhaskar

was the main person involved in the distribution of Rs 89 crore bribe to voters in RK Nagar constituency. The constituency fell vacant after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and the bypoll was cancelled due to distribution of money to voters.

“On April 21, the returning officer lodged a complaint to the commissioner of police based on the income tax department's report and an FIR had also been registered by E-4, Abhiramapuram police station after getting permission from the appropriate magistrate,“ Rajesh Lakhoni, chief electoral officer (CEO) said, opposing a plea for CBI probe into electoral malpractices.

Referring to the IT department's April 8 report, Lakhoni said, “The department informed the commission that on basis of information on tax evasion and distribution of cash during the by-election, search and seizure action was conducted at 21places in Chennai and 11 outside Chennai belonging to the minister and his associates.

“Prominent among associates were Sarathkumar, actor and president of Samathuva Makkal Katchi, Rajendran, former AIADMK MP and S Geetha Lakshmi, vice chancellor of Dr MGR Medical University. The department also said several complaints were registered indicating that Vijayabhaskar is the main person involved in bribing voters. Some loose sheets were found with his accountant Srinivasan indicating distribution of `89 crore among voters. “

Lakhoni made the submissions on a PIL moved by advocate M P Vairakkannan seeking CBI probe into the issue and for a direction to the CEO to file a police complaint against the persons involved in such offences.

Noting that these were the circumstances leading to the cancelling of the election notification, the CEO said, “The relief sought by the petitioner has already been satisfied, as an FIR has been filed based on the complaint made by the returning officer. It is for the state police to further investigate the case and take appropriate action under law to prosecute the offenders“.

The ECI, however, will follow up with the status of investigation without interfering with the course of the probe, he said.