Enforcement Directorate Alleges Bribes for Transfers of Officials in Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru's Ministry

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a fresh dossier to the Tamil Nadu government alleging large-scale bribery and money laundering involving aides of Municipal Administration and Water Supply Minister K.N. Nehru, intensifying scrutiny on the senior DMK leader.

According to the 99-page report accessed by NDTV, the central probe agency claims it has evidence that bribes ranging from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore were paid for the transfer of at least ten government officials, including assistant engineers, executive officers, and municipal engineers. The dossier alleges that illicit payments were made to influence postings within the department.

The ED further claimed that bribes were collected in connection with as many as 340 transfers, with the money allegedly routed through a private individual described as being close to the minister. Investigators allege that this individual played a key role in collecting and distributing the funds linked to the alleged transfer racket.

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In addition to transfer-related bribery, the report points to suspected money laundering activities involving investments worth ₹365.87 crore. The ED claims to have found evidence suggesting the purchase of a 34-acre property in the United States, along with indications of a lavish lifestyle maintained in India. The agency has attached 102 photographs, WhatsApp chats, alleged bribe confirmations, and names of officers as supporting material, reportedly recovered from electronic devices seized during earlier searches in a now-closed bank fraud case.

The ED has urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the vigilance wing to register a First Information Report based on the findings. This dossier follows earlier submissions alleging a “cash-for-jobs” scam and claims that contractors were forced to pay bribes amounting to 7.5 to 10 per cent of project values, with tenders allegedly manipulated in advance.

While the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has ordered preliminary enquiries into previous allegations, no FIR has been filed so far. K.N. Nehru has denied earlier charges and said he would challenge them legally but has not yet responded to the latest report. Opposition parties have questioned the ED’s credibility, alleging political misuse of the agency and citing past Supreme Court observations critical of such practices.

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