Chennai, September 5: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a massive search operation in 40 places in Chennai in connection with Gutkha scam. Houses of Tamil Nadu DGP TK Rajendran at Mogappair, ex-DGP S George near Maduravoyal, Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and other police officers are also being searched. The investigation agency has even started interrogating the suspect in the scam. According to media reports, many state government officials from health, food safety and police departments are under the scanner.

Last week, reports surfaced in the media about the Tamil Nadu health minister’s father accepted that his son collected bribe to give jobs. However, a day later, he denied the reports. Vijayabaskar had also denied such allegations saying that he was not involved in any bribe and had no idea about any transactions. He is under the scanner of the CBI due to his alleged involvement in the Gutka Scam. The CBI in August also interrogated manufacturer of MDM brand of gutka and others. The interrogation was carried out by a special team comprising officials from the CBI’s Anti-Corruption (III) Unit, New Delhi.

The case is related to the illegal sale of gutka across Tamil Nadu. The scam was exposed after the Income Tax department found documents allegedly having details of payments made to top state government officials and ministers. The case was initially investigated by the Directorate of  Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and was later was transferred to the CBI by the Madras High Court.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2018 11:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).