Seven GCC officials suspended after DVAC raid on multiple offices

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) raided multiple offices of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Friday, leading to the suspension of seven officials. The searches were part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts and utilisation of funds.

Officials who were suspended include engineers and supervisors from different zones of the corporation. The Tamil Nadu government acted swiftly on a preliminary report submitted by the DVAC, which pointed to irregularities in several infrastructure projects.

Raids across multiple zones

The DVAC teams conducted simultaneous searches at the offices of the GCC's engineering and public works departments in at least four zones. Sources said documents related to tender processes and payment approvals were seized during the operation.

The raids followed months of scrutiny into complaints that contractors were favoured in the allotment of road-laying and drainage projects. The DVAC had reportedly been gathering evidence for several weeks before carrying out the searches.

Details of the suspended officials

The suspended officials include two executive engineers, three assistant executive engineers, and two junior engineers. They are accused of colluding with private contractors to inflate bills and bypass standard tendering procedures.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated a departmental inquiry against all seven. A senior GCC official said the suspension was a preventive measure to ensure an unbiased investigation.

Government's response

The state government has described the action as a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated at any level. A senior official from the municipal administration department said the government expects the DVAC to complete its investigation expeditiously.

Opposition parties have demanded a wider probe into alleged corruption in the GCC over the past few years. They have also called for the suspension of more officials involved in contract approvals.

The DVAC is expected to file a detailed chargesheet in the coming weeks. The investigation is likely to examine the role of contractors and former officials who may have been involved in the alleged irregularities.

The suspension of the seven officials is the first major action against corruption in the Greater Chennai Corporation this year. Further suspensions are not ruled out as the DVAC continues its probe.

What to watch: The DVAC's chargesheet and whether the investigation widens to include private contractors and higher-ranking officials in the corporation.