DVAC searches 25 Tamil Nadu sites linked to K N Nehru in jobs scam probe

The DVAC searched 25 locations linked to K N Nehru in a court-directed cash-for-jobs probe. The DMK called the action political vendetta and plans to challenge it legally.

In Short

• Officials seized two laptops and documents but questioned Nehru only briefly
• Nearly 2,300 candidates allegedly paid Rs 30–40 lakh for appointments
• Recruitment allegedly bypassed TNPSC, with appointments routed through Anna University

The DVAC on Thursday carried out searches at 25 locations across Tamil Nadu linked to former minister and DMK leader K N Nehru over an alleged multi-crore cash-for-jobs scam, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The searches followed the registration of a case against Nehru and others after the Madras High Court ordered a detailed investigation based on material provided by the Enforcement Directorate.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchirappalli after the searches, Nehru said officials did not question him extensively. He said they seized two laptops and some documents.

"They didn't ask me anything. They came and searched every place. They checked the entire premises. They wrote down what items were taken," Nehru said, according to PTI.

Nehru said the party would challenge the action in court, as it had successfully fought land-grabbing allegations during former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's tenure.

TVK Minister R Nirmal Kumar told reporters in Chennai that around 2,300 candidates were allegedly charged between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 40 lakh each. He claimed that recruitment had deliberately bypassed the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, with appointments routed through Anna University. He also said digital evidence related to the alleged transactions had been secured.

According to the investigation, bribes were systematically collected from candidates in return for government jobs in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department during Nehru's tenure as minister. The Enforcement Directorate had first flagged the alleged irregularities to the state police in October 2025.

The Law Minister said the High Court had lifted a stay on the investigation two days before the searches, prompting the DVAC to speed up its probe. Nehru said the High Court Chief Justice had directed that a first information report be filed. A review petition filed by the DMK was later dismissed, and an appeal is pending before the Supreme Court.

The DVAC also searched the residence of former DMK MLA Ramalingam and six other associated locations on Thursday. The exact details of the case and the specific allegations behind these searches have not been officially disclosed.

DMK president M K Stalin described the action as "Vettri Vendetta Politics" by the TVK government. In a post on X, he accused Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of staging a "raidshow" to divert attention from the state's law-and-order situation. Stalin called the ruling party the "TN Branch Washing Machine", alleging that it accepted corrupt individuals while targeting former DMK ministers. He also claimed that the searches were intended to produce "reels videos" ahead of the Trichy East by-election.

In summary, the DVAC searched locations linked to Nehru and others as part of a court-directed probe into alleged payments for government jobs, while Nehru and the DMK said they would contest the action through legal and political channels.

- Ends