DMK veteran Durai Murugan named in ₹1,427-crore sand mining corruption case

The case involves allegations of illegal sand extraction and procurement irregularities that reportedly caused a revenue loss of ₹1,427.34 crore to the state exchequer. The DVAC has named Durai Murugan, two retired senior engineers, 14 other government employees and 10 private individuals or companies in the case.

According to the allegations, irregularities occurred in 28 river sand quarries across Tamil Nadu. Investigators have examined four of these quarries, where sand was allegedly extracted beyond permitted limits. The complaints also allege that contracts were awarded through restricted tenders instead of transparent open bidding and that fake receipts were used to facilitate illegal sand sales.

As part of the investigation, DVAC teams conducted simultaneous searches at 34 locations across Chennai, Pudukkottai, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Vellore, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Coimbatore, Salem, Namakkal and Puducherry.

Officials reportedly seized 825 documents, 11 electronic devices and keys to three bank lockers during the searches.

The latest action follows an earlier investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had flagged alleged large-scale illegal sand mining and estimated the value of illegally sold river sand at around ₹4,730 crore.

The allegations against Durai Murugan and the other named individuals are subject to investigation. The registration of the case does not establish guilt.