Tamil Nadu minister Keerthana has denied allegations that ₹3 crore was received as commission in connection with a railway flyover project, saying she has neither sought nor accepted a bribe and warning that legal action would be taken against those spreading unsupported claims.
In a statement reported by Dinamalar, the minister said she had not been involved in any financial irregularity since entering public life. She said accusations made without evidence could not be repeatedly presented as facts and insisted that she had not taken even one rupee as a bribe.
The allegations reportedly include a claim that ₹3 crore was received as commission in relation to a railway overbridge project. The report does not provide details of the project, the agency executing it, the alleged transaction or any investigation or official finding concerning the claim. Keerthana said those making serious accusations should be prepared to establish them with facts and evidence.
The minister also rejected separate claims concerning the value of a house allegedly linked to her. According to her statement, the value cited in the allegations changed from ₹4 crore to ₹10 crore. She also said a fashion necklace worn during a visit to Tirupati had been portrayed as a gold coin chain.
Keerthana described the changing figures and descriptions as evidence that the allegations were fabricated with malicious intent. At the same time, she said she was willing to answer legitimate questions and would cooperate fully with authorities if evidence of wrongdoing were submitted.
The minister acknowledged that public figures are subject to close scrutiny, but said corruption allegations were not ordinary criticism because they questioned both her integrity and the trust placed in her by the public. She said her entry into public life was intended to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and that she did not want to spend her time responding to what she called deliberately false accusations.
She added that her work could be criticised as strongly as necessary, but said fabricated allegations would not be tolerated. The minister said she would use all appropriate legal avenues to protect her integrity and warned that action would be taken against those making the allegations. The statement did not announce a specific complaint, investigation or legal proceeding.
