Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S Keerthana has denied allegations of corruption and financial impropriety circulating on social media, including claims that she received a commission of Rs 3 crore in connection with a bridge project. The minister has warned of legal action against those spreading what she described as baseless and malicious accusations. In a detailed statement issued by her office, Keerthana maintained that she had neither demanded nor accepted a bribe and challenged those making the allegations to produce evidence. She said public representatives should be open to scrutiny and criticism but argued that unsubstantiated claims about personal integrity should not be presented as established facts. The controversy has drawn attention to allegations involving her personal wealth, jewellery and a public infrastructure project.

Keerthana specifically rejected the allegation that she had received a Rs 3 crore commission linked to a bridge project. She said the claims had changed over time and alleged that the accusations were being circulated without credible supporting evidence. According to the minister, the contractor concerned had also disputed the claim about the alleged commission, although that assertion could not be independently verified. Social media posts have linked the alleged payment to a bridge project in Sivakasi, her hometown, but Keerthana did not provide specific details of the project in her statement. The allegations have not been established as fact, and the minister has called on anyone with genuine evidence of wrongdoing to approach the appropriate authorities.

The controversy has also extended to claims about the minister's personal assets. Keerthana said allegations about a house she supposedly owned had initially placed its value at Rs 4 crore before the figure was raised to Rs 10 crore. She questioned the changing figures and said the claims had been circulated without evidence substantiating ownership or value. The minister also addressed speculation surrounding jewellery she wore during a recent visit to the Tirumala temple in Tirupati. Videos of her visit circulated online, with some social media users describing the necklace she wore as a gold coin chain. Keerthana said it was a fashion necklace and rejected attempts to portray it as evidence of unexplained wealth. The discussion also prompted comparisons with the gold holdings declared in her election affidavit, which listed 24 grams of gold valued at Rs 3.27 lakh.

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In her statement, Keerthana said she accepted that public life involved questioning, criticism and scrutiny of decisions taken by elected representatives. However, she argued that allegations of corruption were different from ordinary political criticism because they directly challenged a person's integrity and the trust placed in them by voters. She said she was willing to answer legitimate questions about her performance as Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Minister and would cooperate with any legitimate inquiry into evidence of wrongdoing. At the same time, she maintained that repeated circulation of allegations on social media did not make them credible in the absence of verifiable facts. The minister did not identify the individuals responsible for the allegations in her statement.

Keerthana warned that further accusations of corruption or financial impropriety that she considered malicious and unsupported by evidence could invite appropriate legal action. She said those making serious allegations should be prepared to substantiate them with facts and documentation, adding that freedom of expression should not be treated as permission to spread fabricated claims. The minister also said she respected the public's right to question government decisions and demand accountability. Her objection, she stressed, was to allegations she considered deliberately misleading rather than criticism of her administrative work. She said she intended to defend her reputation through appropriate legal means if the claims continued.

The controversy comes amid Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's repeated public assurances that his government would take a firm position against corruption. Corruption was a major issue during his election campaign, and Vijay reiterated his position after assuming office, warning ministers against involvement in corrupt practices. The allegations against Keerthana have therefore attracted attention beyond the claims about her personal assets, raising questions about accountability and the standards expected of members of the state government. However, the allegations against the minister remain disputed, and no finding establishing the alleged commission or other financial wrongdoing was cited in her statement. Keerthana has maintained that any genuine evidence should be presented to the competent authorities, while warning that she would pursue legal remedies against claims she considers false.

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