ED files protest petition against DVAC’s attempt to close ₹27.90 crore bribery case against former Minister Vaithilingam

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has filed a protest petition in the Principal Sessions Court, Chennai, against the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC)'s move to close a ₹27.90 crore bribery case against former Minister R. Vaithilingam. The ED had initiated a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) investigation based on the DVAC's First Information Report (FIR) under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) and found a clear 'quid pro quo' involving a bribe paid to a company beneficially owned by the former Minister, leading to the swift approval of planning permission. The ED provisionally attached properties worth over ₹100 crore and shared its findings with DVAC. However, DVAC filed a closure report in the PCA case after Vaithilingam switched political parties, raising doubts about the investigation's bona fides. The ED fears the PMLA case might collapse if the PCA case is closed and has urged the court to reject DVAC's closure report and direct further investigation.