Published Jul 04, 2026 | 8:32 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 04, 2026 | 8:32 PM
Madras High Court. (Wikimedia)
The Madras High Court on Saturday, 4 July, has directed the Special Court for cases against MPs and MLAs to complete the trial in the gutka scam case involving former minister C Vijayabaskar and others within 12 weeks.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed the case against 26 accused, including former ministers PV Ramana and C Vijayabaskar, as well as former Chennai City Police Commissioner S George, over allegations that they allowed the sale of banned gutka products in violation of the law.
In 2022, the CBI sought prosecution sanction, and the case was later transferred to a special court in 2024.
Former Police Commissioner S George had moved the High Court seeking the removal of witnesses who had not given statements from the CBI’s witness list. However, the High Court dismissed his petition, observing that copies of the statements recorded from the listed witnesses had already been furnished to the petitioner.
While dismissing the plea, the High Court also directed the Special Court for MPs and MLAs to conclude the trial in the gutka scam case within 12 weeks.
According to an NDTV report, the alleged scam came to light on July 8, 2017, when the Income Tax department raided the godown, offices and residences of a pan masala and gutkha manufacturer in Tamil Nadu who had been facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
