Overview
- A Chennai Sessions Court accepted the Tamil Nadu government's petition and directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption to reinvestigate the Vaithilingam matter and file a report within three months, a decision handed down on Monday.
- The allegation says R Vaithilingam, as state housing minister in 2011–16, accepted about Rs 27.9 crore from Shriram Properties in 2016 to secure planning permission for a large housing project.
- DVAC had earlier submitted a closure report saying it found no conclusive evidence of illegal gratification but told the court it would withdraw that closure and reopen the probe after objections were raised.
- The Enforcement Directorate has already filed a money‑laundering chargesheet in the case and lodged a protest against the DVAC closure because ED's case depends on a predicate criminal probe by DVAC.
- A Free Press Journal exposé and a petition by NGO Arappor Iyakkam prompted the new state government to seek reinvestigation, and the three‑month DVAC timeline now sets the schedule for evidence or charges to move forward.