July 3, 2025

The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court that a decision will be made within a week or 10 days on allowing the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) related to an alleged scam in the procurement of distribution transformers during the tenure of former Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji between 2021 and 2023. The court heard arguments from the Advocate General representing the government and the complainant's lawyer, who requested a closer look at the bidding records for possible cartelization. The petitioner, Arappor Iyakkam, has urged for a High Court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after their analysis indicated significant financial losses due to collusion in bidding for transformer supply to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco). The petition highlighted irregularities in the tender process, alleging that contractors benefited unfairly at the expense of the public exchequer. The involvement of key officials, including the former Minister Senthilbalaji, has also been called into question. The court proceedings are ongoing with further investigation expected.

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Tags: Tamil nadu, Corruption, Scandal, Government,