Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has decided to issue summons to former water resources minister Duraimurugan and others in a case alleging irregularities in sand quarries operated during the 2021–2024 period, Dinamalar reported. The proposed questioning concerns alleged illegal extraction of river sand and revenue loss to the state.
According to the report, the anti-corruption police registered a case against Duraimurugan, retired chief engineers Muthaiah and Ramamoorthy, 14 serving Water Resources Department employees, 10 private individuals and companies, among others. The case was registered based on complaints received from the Enforcement Directorate and certain other organisations, the report said.
The investigation covers 28 sand quarries. Inquiries conducted at four of them allegedly found that river sand had been extracted unlawfully, causing an estimated revenue loss of ₹1,427.34 crore to the government. The report did not identify the four quarries or provide a detailed breakdown of the alleged loss by location.
The decision to summon the former minister and government employees indicates that the agency intends to question individuals named in the first information report. Dinamalar reported that the summons would require them to appear in person before the anti-corruption police. It did not state when the summons would be issued or specify the dates fixed for questioning.
The case places the management of sand quarries under renewed scrutiny because the material is closely linked to construction supply chains and public revenue. Sand extraction is administered through government systems involving quarry permissions, monitoring, collection and the accounting of receipts. The report, however, does not set out the specific administrative actions or alleged violations under investigation at each quarry.
The identities and details of the government employees named in the FIR have not been released by the anti-corruption department, according to the report. The agency’s next stated step is to issue summons and record the statements of the former minister and other individuals connected with the case. The allegations remain subject to investigation and do not establish criminal liability unless proved through due process.
