Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Madras High Court Denies Interim Relief in Sand Excavation Case
A court in Chennai considered requests from E.V. Velu and his son, E.V. Kumaran.
They want the court to cancel a police case about sand allegedly taken from a lake.
The complaint says the sand was used to prepare a place for a political conference.
It also says the digging caused a large loss to public funds.
Velu and Kumaran deny wrongdoing.
Their lawyer argued that the allegations were vague and questioned whether required approval was obtained.
The judge did not pause the case for now.
The vigilance agency must respond by November 6.
The Madras High Court declined interim relief to former Tamil Nadu Minister E.V. Velu and his son, E.V. Kumaran.
Their petitions seek to quash an FIR registered on September 24 over alleged illegal sand excavation from Malappambadi Lake.
The complaint alleges that 45,72,058 cubic feet of sand was removed to level a venue for a DMK youth wing conference.
Complainant Jayaram Venkatesan alleged the excavation caused a public loss of Rs 8.22 crore and that the sand was used on land owned by a company linked to Kumaran.
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to respond by November 6.
- Who
- Former Tamil Nadu Minister E.V. Velu and his son E.V. Kumaran; the case is being handled by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
- What
- The Madras High Court declined interim relief in their petitions seeking to quash an FIR over alleged sand excavation.
- When
- The court ruled on Wednesday and directed a response by November 6; the FIR was registered on September 24.
- Where
- Malappambadi Lake in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu; the petitions were heard in Chennai.
- Why
- The petitions concern allegations that sand was illegally excavated from a lake and used to level land for a conference venue.
Petitioners' arguments
Complaint allegations
Whether the FIR supports a case
Petitioners' arguments
Velu's counsel argued that the FIR relied on conjecture and general allegations, identified no specific acts by the petitioners, and disclosed no offence even if its claims were accepted.
Complaint allegations
The complaint alleges that a large quantity of sand was excavated from Malappambadi Lake and used to level land for a conference venue.
Link to public loss and land
Petitioners' arguments
Velu and Kumaran denied wrongdoing; the petitioners sought to quash the FIR.
Complaint allegations
Complainant Jayaram Venkatesan alleged the excavation caused a Rs 8.22 crore loss to the public exchequer and that the sand went to land owned by a company in which Kumaran was a director.
Required approval
Petitioners' arguments
Velu's counsel questioned whether approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act had been obtained, citing his ministerial tenure.
Complaint allegations
The article reports the allegation and challenge but gives no response from the vigilance agency on the approval question.
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Judge
- Justice V. Lakshminarayanan
- Petitioners
- E.V. Velu and E.V. Kumaran
- FIR registration
- September 24
- Alleged sand excavated
- 45,72,058 cubic feet
- Alleged public loss
- Rs 8.22 crore
- Agency response due
- November 6