Mon May 26 15:31:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, suitable for “The Hindu” based on its content:

**Madurai Bench Criticizes TASMAC Handling of Bribery Allegations, Overturns Suspension of Whistleblower Employees**

**Madurai, May 26, 2025:** The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) for its handling of bribery allegations involving a District Manager and Supervisor in the Madurai district. The court overturned the suspension orders of three TASMAC salesmen who had reported the alleged corruption, citing the lack of proper investigation and raising serious concerns about the integrity of the government-run corporation.

Justices were hearing petitions filed in 2022 by K. Mayakannan, S. Murugan and V. Ramasamy. The petitioners, all working as salesmen in TASMAC outlets, alleged that then District Manager of Madurai South, Rajeswari, and Supervisor of Tirumangalam, Selvam, were collecting monthly bribes from shops under their purview. They lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, which was subsequently forwarded to TASMAC authorities.

The Court noted that despite the complaint, and the submission of recorded conversations purportedly involving the accused officials, TASMAC authorities closed the inquiry without adequately addressing the serious allegations. While Rajeswari was transferred and retired from service, the complaint was dismissed based solely on Supervisor Selvam’s denial of being part of the recorded conversation.

Justice B. Pugalendhi stated, “The available materials showed that there was something wrong in the government-run Corporation. The government should not allow corruption in its functioning. The corporation had to realise its mistake.”

The court, while setting aside the suspension orders, granted TASMAC the liberty to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners for violating employee conduct rules by speaking to the media. However, the overarching message was clear: the court demands greater accountability and transparency from TASMAC in addressing corruption allegations within its ranks. The ruling raises questions about the effectiveness of internal oversight mechanisms within the corporation and signals a need for systemic reform.

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