HC told of inquiry into ₹4.5-crore cheating complaint against ex-Minister

The Madras High Court was informed on Monday that the Illuppur police in Pudukottai district have initiated a preliminary inquiry into a cheating complaint filed by the AIADMK's Alangudi constituency candidate, Dhana Vimal. The complaint alleges that former Minister C. Vijayabaskar, now with the TVK, retained a substantial portion of funds provided to him.

Justice V. Lakshminarayanan recorded the submission of Additional Public Prosecutor Arun Anbumani that the complainant had been summoned for inquiry on August 28, 2026. However, Mr. Vimal sought time until September 10, 2026. The court directed the police to file a progress report by September 15, 2026.

The matter pertains to a writ petition filed by Mr. Vimal seeking a direction to register an FIR. According to his affidavit, Mr. Vijayabaskar, then the AIADMK's Pudukottai district secretary, telephoned him on November 11, 2025, asking him to arrange ₹5 crore to demonstrate his ability to meet election expenses for the Alangudi seat. The former Minister allegedly promised to return the amount immediately after the candidate's declaration.

Mr. Vimal claims he arranged ₹4.5 crore through various sources and handed it over to a contractor, Sothupalai Murugesan, at the latter's Pudukottai office on March 11, 2026. After Mr. Vimal was announced as the AIADMK candidate, only ₹50 lakh was returned. The remaining amount has not been repaid despite repeated requests, the petitioner said.

The complaint further alleges that an additional ₹10 lakh promised in return for mortgaging his father's property to an associate of the former Minister was also not paid. Mr. Vimal stated he met Mr. Vijayabaskar on 14 occasions to demand the return of his money. He alleged that the former Minister has since adopted a threatening attitude and, being politically influential after joining the ruling party, has not returned the funds or documents.