Published Jul 27, 2026 | 12:06 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 27, 2026 | 12:06 PM
It has been alleged that he accepted a bribe of ₹28 crore from a real-estate developer when he was a minister in the AIADMK government.
Synopsis: The case relates to allegations that Vaithilingam, who served as Tamil Nadu’s Housing Minister during the AIADMK government between 2011 and 2016, accepted a ₹28 crore bribe to grant planning approval for a Sriram Properties apartment project at Perungalathur in Chennai.
The Principal Sessions Court in Chennai has permitted the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to conduct further investigation into a corruption case filed against former Tamil Nadu minister R Vaithilingam.
The court also directed the agency to complete the probe and file its report within three months.
The case relates to allegations that Vaithilingam, who served as Tamil Nadu’s Housing Minister during the AIADMK government between 2011 and 2016, accepted a ₹28 crore bribe to grant planning approval for a Sriram Properties apartment project at Perungalathur in Chennai.
The complaint was filed by Arappor Iyakkam before the DVAC in 2022. After nearly two years of delay, the agency registered an FIR in September 2024 based on the complaint.
The case was pending before the Chennai Principal Sessions Court. In January this year, Vaithilingam joined the DMK.
Subsequently, the DVAC filed a closure report during the previous government, stating that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
Following the change in government in Tamil Nadu, the DVAC moved the court seeking permission to withdraw the closure report and conduct further investigation into the case.
Allowing the petition, Principal Sessions Judge S Karthikeyan granted the DVAC permission to carry out further investigation and directed the agency to complete the probe and submit its report before the court within three months.
