Gutka scam: CBI gets nod to prosecute two ex-ministers
In trouble for the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has accorded sanction to prosecute two senior leaders of the party, C Vijayabaskar and B V Ramana, who held crucial portfolios in the cabinets led by J Jayalalithaa and Edappadi K Palaniswami, in the gutkha scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Ravi, who was accused by the DMK dispensation led by Chief Minister M K Stalin of sitting on the files relating to prosecution of former ministers from the AIADMK, cleared the prosecution of Vijayabaskar and Ramana on November 13, according to an
affidavit filed by the Raj Bhavan before the Supreme Court. Vijayabaskar, Ramana, former Director General of Police (DGP) T K Rajendran, former Chennai Police Commissioner S George are among the 10 people who have been named as accused in the gutkha scam by the CBI.
Gutkha scam relates to ministers and officials allegedly receiving bribes to the tune of Rs 32 crore from companies selling gutkha and other tobacco related stuff to allow their sale in Tamil Nadu, despite a ban enforced by the state government.