Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Rahul Naveen will visit Chennai this weekend to review the status of the agency’s ongoing investigations in the election-oriented state, including a controversial high-profile probe involving Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru, people familiar with the development said on Thursday.
The ED director is likely to reach the Chennai office on Thursday evening, officials said.
“The ED chief will conduct a comprehensive review of the money laundering and foreign exchange violations cases being investigated in Tamil Nadu, especially those cases where the courts have recently issued directions,” said an officer, who did not wish to be named.
Naveen had made a similar visit to Kolkata last month after the dramatic raid on political consulting firm I-PAC which turned into a legal battle with the West Bengal government. The ED has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of obstructing searches and taking evidence while Banerjee alleged that the ED was trying to take documents related to election strategy from the I-PAC headquarters just before the Assembly elections.
Last week, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Directorate to file a case against KN Nehru to probe alleged bribery in appointments to municipal administration and water supply department, a portfolio he currently holds.
The ED has shared some evidence and information with the Tamil Nadu government in the case, seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR) by the DVAC so that it can also initiate a money laundering investigation.
It said it had found incriminating evidence against Nehru and others while investigating a separate bank loan fraud case. Nehru, while speaking to reporters earlier, denied any wrongdoing.
The SC in its February 20 order said that though the ED’s complaint was vague, it presented voluminous material pointing out a prima facie case.
The state could have conducted a preliminary inquiry under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Act within 14 days, but the state only delayed the investigation, the court added.
The matter concerns the appointment of approximately 2,538 candidates for the positions of assistant engineers. The selected candidates have already joined the offices and have been in service for more than six months.
The ED director, a second officer, said on Thursday that he would also review other operational and administrative issues related to the two district offices located in Chennai and other sub-district units located in the state which will soon hold parliamentary elections.
