Tue Oct 28 19:38:04 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Tamil Nadu has uncovered significant corruption and substandard work in multiple state highway projects executed between 2018 and 2023. The DVAC investigation revealed contractors and officials colluded to execute substandard work, falsify records, and misappropriate government funds, causing substantial financial losses to the state. Despite prima facie evidence implicating highway officials, the Tamil Nadu government refused to grant permission to register a case against them. Consequently, the DVAC has filed a case against contractors and a retired executive engineer, but intends to pursue charges against other officials if further evidence emerges.
News Article:
Tamil Nadu Highways Plagued by Corruption, Substandard Work, Claims DVAC
CHENNAI, October 29, 2025 – A major scandal is brewing in Tamil Nadu’s highway department as the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has exposed widespread corruption and substandard work in road construction projects across multiple districts, resulting in millions of rupees in losses to the state exchequer.
An investigation by the DVAC into road improvement and strengthening works in Thanjavur, Sivaganga, and Coimbatore revealed that contractors, in collusion with highway officials, executed substandard work while falsifying records and misappropriating government funds. Core samples taken at various work sites showed significant discrepancies between actual work quality and official records.
The DVAC’s First Information Report (FIR) identifies several contractors allegedly responsible for the fraudulent activities. M/s R.R. Infra Construction is accused of causing a loss of ₹1.65 crore in Orathanadu and Thanjavur, while M/s JSV Infra is implicated in an ₹8.5 crore loss in Peravurani and Pattukottai. Further, M/s KCP Infra Ltd is accused of poor work valued at ₹2.62 crore across several Thanjavur sub-divisions, and M/s S.P.K & Co. is responsible for losses of ₹7.73 crore. M/s R.R. Infra Construction is again implicated in Coimbatore, costing ₹25.54 lakh.
The investigation alleges that from November 2018 to July 2023, highway officials conspired with these contractors, abused their positions, and used falsified documents to siphon off public money.
However, the investigation took a controversial turn when the Tamil Nadu government denied the DVAC permission to register a case against serving highway officials, despite what the DVAC claims is “prima facie material evidence.” This decision has raised eyebrows and fueled accusations of a potential cover-up.
As a result, the DVAC has booked contractors and a retired Executive Engineer, S. Jagadeesan, in the case. The agency has stated that it will seek permission to include other highway officials as accused if further evidence surfaces during the ongoing investigation.
The case highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in government projects and raises questions about the extent of corruption within the state’s highway department. The DVAC has vowed to pursue the case diligently and bring all those responsible to justice, promising to obtain permissions to expand the case against current officials if further evidence arises. The case is ongoing.
First Piper 