Madras High Court asks for response from Tamil Nadu government over gutkha scam probe

The first bench of the Madras high court on Monday, July 31, sought the response of the Central and Tamil Nadu governments to Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLA J Anbazhagan seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into allegations of involvement of a state Minister and officials in a 'gutka scam'.

It, however, also questioned the necessity of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case, also requested by the DMK.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar issued notice and directed both the governments to file their counter and posted the PIL for further hearing on September 11.

Petitioner J Anbazhagan has sought appointment of the SIT, headed by a retired judge of the high court and comprising officials from the CBI and other departments, to probe the alleged involvement of the state and central government officials in 'facilitating' sale of banned 'gutka'.

The matter had first come up on July 28 for hearing. 

Senior counsel P Wilson, representing the petitioner, alleged that the minister, who was in-charge of enforcing the ban, had unscrupulously committed the crime of aiding and abetting the sale of gutka in Chennai for his personal gain, against the declared policy of the state government.

Advocate General R Muthukumaraswamy, representing the state government, rejected the argument of Wilson that no action had been taken against 'gutka' and 'paan masala' manufacturers, distributors and sellers in the state.

He said more than 20,000 cases had been registered till date. Of this, in more than 12,000 cases, the accused had been convicted.

About 2,800 cases were pending trial he said, terming as incorrect the allegation that the state government had not taken any action.
 

• Madras High Court
• Tamil Nadu government
• Gutkha Scam