The Anti-Corruption Police have filed a case of disproportionate assets against former AIADMK minister R. Vaithilingam and his son, following allegations of a 1,057% increase in their wealth during his tenure as a minister.Vaithilingam, a native of Teluguankudikadu village in Thanjavur district, rose from a middle-class background to become an MLA from the Orathanadu constituency, representing the AIADMK. He served as the Minister of Industries and Forests from 2001 to 2006 and later held the position of Minister of Housing and Urban Development from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2016 to 2021 and is currently the MLA for Orathanadu, known for his support of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
During his tenure as Minister of Housing and Urban Development, a company named Shriram Properties and Infrastructure allegedly sought government approval to build 1,453 apartments and IT companies over 57.94 acres in Perungalathur, Chennai. Allegations surfaced that Vaithilingam received a bribe of âč28 crore for granting this approval.
Following these accusations, the Anti-Corruption Police launched an investigation into Vaithilingam’s assets. Their findings revealed that he and his family members had amassed disproportionate wealth, including immovable properties, bank balances, and vehicles, far exceeding their known sources of income.
The investigation found that between 2011 and 2026, the value of Vaithilingamâs assets skyrocketed from âč32.47 crore to a staggering 1,057.85%, leading the Anti-Corruption Police to file a formal case against Vaithilingam and his eldest son, Prabhu, for accumulating disproportionate assets.