Madurai: In a major crackdown on alleged corruption within the Madurai Corporation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed all zonal chairpersons to resign immediately. The decision comes amid an ongoing investigation into a property tax scam, where officials are accused of undervaluing taxes on private properties, leading to significant revenue losses for the civic body.
Eight Arrested in Property Tax Fraud Case
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has so far arrested eight individuals, including a retired Assistant Commissioner, a personal assistant to a zonal president, and several middlemen, for their involvement in the scam. Investigations revealed that certain DMK zonal leaders may have been complicit, prompting further scrutiny of Zone 2 chairperson Saravana Bhuvaneswari and Zone 5’s Suvita, among others.
A high-level meeting was held with Ministers KN Nehru, Moorthy, and Palanivel Thiagarajan, along with Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, to assess the situation. Mayor Indrani Ponvasanth and other zonal leaders were separately questioned as part of the probe.
Stalin’s Stern Warning and Immediate Resignations
During the DMK’s “Udanpirappe Vaa” outreach program, CM Stalin issued a strong warning, declaring that he would not hesitate to remove anyone found guilty of misconduct. Following his directive, six functionaries—including four zonal leaders and two group leaders—submitted their resignations.
This development comes weeks after Mayor Indrani’s husband, Pon Vasanth, was expelled from the DMK on May 29 for alleged anti-party activities and undue interference in civic administration. Minister Nehru has reportedly issued a stern warning to Mayor Indrani, indicating that further action could follow.
Meanwhile, the AIADMK, led by former minister Sellur Raju, staged protests in Madurai, condemning the tax fraud and demanding stricter accountability. The opposition has seized the opportunity to criticize the DMK’s governance, calling the scam a failure of the ruling party’s anti-corruption promises.
With Madurai being Tamil Nadu’s third-largest urban hub after Chennai and Coimbatore, the scandal has raised serious concerns about administrative integrity.