Overview
- On December 3, the Enforcement Directorate sent a detailed dossier under PMLA Section 66(2) to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, DGP and DVAC requesting registration of an FIR.
- The ED cites digital material from April searches—WhatsApp chats, calculation sheets and bank records—alleging contractors paid 7.5–10% to associates and that officials later skimmed 20–25% during clearances.
- Alleged bribes were linked to routine civic works including community toilets, sanitation outsourcing, NABARD projects, sweeper quarters, village roads and water or lake works, with funds routed through hawala networks.
- The agency says it cannot proceed without a predicate FIR and has warned that failure to register a case could amount to assisting the accused, referencing Supreme Court guidance.
- Minister K.N. Nehru has rejected the claims as a politically driven smear and vowed legal action, while AIADMK and BJP leaders pressed for a probe or resignation; no state FIR has been reported.