E.V. Velu, others booked for illegal excavation of lake bed to level venue for party event
Approximately 45,72,058 cubic feet of lake-bed sand was alleged to have been transported from about 8 acres of the waterbody, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹8.22 crore to the T.N. exchequer
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has registered a case against E.V. Velu, DMK MLA and former Minister for Highways, Minor Ports, and Public Works, his son E.V. Kumaran, and several others for illegal excavation of lake-bed material in Malappambadi village, Tiruvannamalai district. The excavation, carried out for levelling the venue of a DMK Northern Zone Youth Wing Conference in December 2025, involved the removal of around 45,72,058 cubic feet of sand from 12 acres of Malappambadi Lake, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹8.22 crore to the exchequer.
The DVAC alleges that officials, including those from the Revenue Department, Corporation, and Geology and Mining Department, failed to take effective action despite being informed about the illegal activity.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
