The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)’s former minister Rajenthra Bhalaji and two other party workers for allegedly accepting money in exchange for jobs in Aavin. The accused are alleged to have accepted Rs 30 lakh.
K Vijaya Nallathambi, a union secretary from the party and Mariyappan, a party worker, are the two others who have been booked. The three men have been booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating).
Ravindran, a shopkeeper from Satur, had in 2021 claimed that he had paid Rs 30 lakh to Rajenthra Balaji, who was then Milk and Dairy Development Minister, through Vijaya Nallathambi in exchange for a managerial position in Aavin for his nephew. The District Crime Branch in Virudhunagar district registered a case.
A second FIR was filed after the DCB also found that Rajenthra Bhalaji had accepted around Rs 3 crore from various individuals, promising to award them jobs, but he did not fulfil that promise.
The complainant had, in 2024, petitioned the Madras High Court (HC) requesting a speedy investigation and trial. The court had ordered in the complainant’s favour. However, due to delays in prosecuting the minister, the Madras HC on January 6, 2025, ordered the case to be transferred to the CBI.