The Madras High Court has directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to investigate the involvement of government officials in an alleged quarrying scam in Coimbatore.
The case pertains to a ₹32.29 crore fine imposed on quarry owner K.T. Chenthamarai for operating without a valid license. Chenthamarai challenged the penalty in court, arguing that his quarry license had expired in 2023 and thus did not require cancellation.
During the hearing, Justice Bharat Chakravarthy emphasized the need to examine the roles of both field-level and senior officials in the unauthorized quarry operations. The court instructed the DVAC to conduct a thorough investigation into potential administrative lapses and corruption, and to take appropriate action based on their findings.
This directive underscores the judiciary’s commitment to addressing illegal mining activities and ensuring accountability among public servants. The outcome of the DVAC’s investigation is anticipated to shed light on the extent of official complicity in the quarrying operations.