Tamil Nadu anti-graft agency books E.V. Velu over alleged lake-bed excavation

Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has registered a case against DMK MLA E.V. Velu, his son E.V. Kumaran, public servants, contractors and others over alleged unauthorised excavation of a lake bed in Tiruvannamalai district.

The case concerns Malappambadi Lake, where the agency alleges that material was excavated and removed to level the venue of a DMK Northern Zone Youth Wing Conference held in December 2025. According to the DVAC, about 12 acres of the lake were affected. It alleges that excavation reached depths of approximately 10 to 23 feet between November 2025 and the first week of December, and that around 45,72,058 cubic feet of sand was transported from about eight acres.

The agency estimated the alleged loss to the exchequer at ₹8.22 crore. It also alleged that an approach road was unlawfully widened and laid over the tank bund and foreshore area up to the entrance of a family property belonging to Velu, where the conference took place. The DVAC said permissions had not been obtained from the relevant Revenue, Corporation or Geology and Mining authorities for the excavation and removal of gravel or lake-bed material.

The case followed a complaint by Jayaram Venkatesan, convener of Arappor Iyakkam. The agency said verification conducted with Revenue and Geology and Mining officials found unauthorised excavation and mining of soil and gravel at several locations in the lake area. The FIR also alleges that officials failed to act despite earlier complaints, including one submitted in November 2025.

The DVAC said the alleged inaction appeared prima facie to indicate connivance and a deliberate failure to perform statutory duties. The supplied material did not report responses from Velu or the other accused.