N. Nallamma Naidu, the former Superintendent of Police, Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, who investigated the disproportionate assets case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and three others, died in Chennai early on Tuesday.
According to sources close to his family, Mr. Naidu aged about 82 years complained of breathlessness shortly after midnight at his residence in Kilpauk.
He was rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Mr. Naidu led the painstaking investigation into the disportionate assets case involving the former Chief Minister, her close aide V K Sasikala, the latter’s sister-in-law Illavarasi and Jayalalithaa’s disowned foster son V N Sudhagaran.
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He played a crucial role in collecting documentary evidence running into thousands of pages, particularly documents of immovable assets, in the case that ended up in the conviction of the accused.
While the Supreme Court held that charges against Jayalalithaa abated following her death, it had upheld the conviction of the other three accused who were sentenced by the trial court to four years in prison.
Stalin condoles death
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday condoled the death of Mr. Naidu and also visited his residence later in the day and offered floral tributes to Naidu’s mortal remains.
In his condolence message, Mr. Stalin noted that the officer, who was handpicked by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi as investigating officer, was "loyal to the department he served and public service until the end”. His death was a huge loss.
Mr. Stalin said the officer served as an example for being honest while in service in the DVAC and fearlessly stood for justice against any threats. "He investigated corruption cases, especially those by the [1991-96] AIADMK government."
Recalling his statement soon after the judgment by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case was delivered that "justice has won," Mr. Stalin said: "Recently, he presented a book 'My Duty -- Down with Corruption' and shared with me the challenges he met in the department and the way he faced them."
Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi, PWD Minister E.V. Velu, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu, North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy, chairman of State Minorities Commission S. Peter Alphonse accompanied Mr. Stalin.
