The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Madras High Court, seeking intervention in the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probe into alleged financial irregularities amounting to ₹1,000 crore in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). The state contends that the ED is conducting an unjustified investigation without substantial evidence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The petition, filed by Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar and TASMAC Managing Director Visakan, accuses the ED of harassment and arbitrary actions during searches. It claims that officials were detained unlawfully for 60 hours without communication with their families and that their signatures were obtained under coercion on documents related to tenders and price fixing. The state also alleges that employees’ mobile phones were seized, and personal data was accessed without authorization, violating their right to privacy.
The ED, however, asserts that it has uncovered large-scale corruption involving TASMAC officials, distillery companies, and bottling units. The agency alleges that distilleries such as SNJ, Kals, Accord, and Shiva Distillery made illicit payments to manipulate tenders and secure undue favors. The investigation also found discrepancies in transport tenders and evidence of unaccounted cash transactions.
The Tamil Nadu government has urged the court to restrain the ED from harassing TASMAC employees and to uphold due process in the investigation.