CHENNAI: Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC)'s Karur unit has registered a disproportionate assets case against former transport minister MR Vijayabaskar of the AIADMK, his wife Vijayalakshmi and brother R Sekar on July 21. Raids were conducted at 21 locations in Karur, Chennai and Chengalpet districts.
In the FIR, DVAC has alleged that the minister bought eight properties worth nearly 8 crore in Karur in the name of two partnership firms namely Rainbow Dryers and Rainbow Blue Metals during 2016-2021 when Vijayabaskar was an MLA and minister.
The anti-corruption agency said that Vijayabaskar and Vijayalakshmi are partners in this company which raises suspicion that the assets were acquired by the minister. In addition, Sekar represented the partnership firms and aided Vijayabaskar, abetting his illegal enrichment while in office, DVAC said. Apart from this, DVAC said that the former minister and his wife were in possession of assets and properties worth 2.68 crore over the check period, which was disproportionate to their known sources of income. The extent of disproportion was 55% of the total income during the check period, DVAC said.
Claiming that he has been into several businesses for the past 35 years, Vijayabaskar said that he doesn't even own a house in Chennai and Karur. He said DVAC searched his places on Thursday due to political vendetta. He also said he will submit relevant documents to the officials when he is summoned for enquiry.
