The investigation stems from a complaint filed in May 2022, which led to an initial raid by DVAC officials who seized several documents from the MLA’s residence.
Published Feb 25, 2025 | 10:48 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 25, 2025 | 10:48 AM
Amman K Arjunan. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption directorate raided the residence and other properties belonging to Coimbatore North MLA Amman K Arjunan. A probe revealed that he had accumulated an additional ₹2.75 crore in assets during his tenure as an MLA. These properties were registered under his name, his wife Vijayalakshmi, and their son and daughter. AIADMK has strongly condemned the raid on the MLA, calling it a politically motivated act.
Officials of the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducted a raid at the residence of AIADMK MLA Amman K Arjunan in Selvapuram near Coimbatore on Tuesday, 25 February, following allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A case has been registered against the Coimbatore North MLA and his wife, Vijayalakshmi, under charges of corruption.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed in May 2022, which led to an initial raid by DVAC officials who seized several documents from the MLA’s residence. Upon further scrutiny of these documents, it was revealed that Arjunan had accumulated assets far exceeding his legitimate income.
Arjunan, who originally hails from the Madurai district and comes from a middle-class background, was first elected as an MLA from the Coimbatore South constituency in 2016.
At that time, his declared assets were valued at ₹2.3 crore. However, by 2022, his assets had ballooned to ₹5.96 crore, marking a 71.19 percent increase beyond his known income.
The probe revealed that he had accumulated an additional ₹2.75 crore in assets during his tenure as an MLA. These properties were registered under his name, his wife Vijayalakshmi, and their son and daughter.
The raid was led by DVAC Inspector Vijayalakshmi covering multiple properties, including Arjunan’s residence. AIADMK party cadres gathered outside the house, demanding that a lawyer be allowed inside, leading to heated exchanges with the police.
Officials indicated that more incriminating documents could be seized during the ongoing raid. The case has intensified scrutiny on the AIADMK MLA, raising concerns over corruption among elected representatives.
According to reports the raid by the DVAC began at 7 am on Tuesday and further investigation is underway.
The AIADMK has strongly condemned the raid on the MLA, calling it a politically motivated act orchestrated by the DMK government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
In a statement, the AIADMK alleged that the raid was a “knee-jerk reaction” by the DMK government to divert attention from its administrative failures and rising public discontent. The party accused the ruling DMK of using anti-corruption raids as a tool to target opposition leaders while turning a blind eye to corruption within its own ranks.
“The Stalin-led DMK government has unleashed the DVAC on our MLA as part of a deliberate strategy to suppress AIADMK leaders who continue to serve the people effectively,” the statement read.
It further alleged that Stalin, who has been touring various districts in recent weeks, is aware of the growing public dissatisfaction with the DMK’s governance and the rising support for the AIADMK’s return to power.
The AIADMK also labelled the raid as an attempt to hinder the work of Arjunan, who is currently serving his second term, and accused the DMK government of misusing investigative agencies to weaken the opposition.
“The corrupt DMK regime should know that no matter who they send against us, we will face them without fear. We will win in 2026 and bring back good governance,” the statement declared.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
