CHENNAI: A Chennai civil court has ordered a further investigation into an alleged Rs 28-crore bribery case against former AIADMK housing minister and current DMK MLA Vaithilingam, granting the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) three months to complete the probe.The order came after the court heard a petition filed by anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, challenging the DVAC’s decision to close the case. During the hearing, the DVAC also submitted that further investigation was required.The case stems from a complaint lodged by Arappor Iyakkam, alleging that Vaithilingam accepted a Rs 28-crore bribe from Shriram Properties during 2015-16 in return for granting planning approval for a 1,400-apartment housing project. The organisation alleged that Rs 27.9 crore was transferred from Bharat Coal and Chemicals, a Shriram Group company, to Muthammal Estate Private Limited, a company owned by Vaithilingam’s son.Based on the complaint, the DVAC registered an FIR in September 2024. However, the agency later filed a closure report before the court in February 2026.Arappor Iyakkam subsequently moved the Chennai magistrate’s court, seeking to set aside the closure report and order a fresh investigation.
