Chennai, 11 Nov (H.S.): The BJP has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the alleged siphoning of ₹22.10 crore from government bank accounts, accusing his administration of failing to safeguard public money earmarked for rural development and essential services.

BJP state secretary Vinoj P. Selvam said the fraud raised serious questions about administrative accountability and the safeguards governing transactions involving public funds. He demanded an explanation from the Chief Minister, asking where Vijay was when the people of Tamil Nadu were seeking answers.

The money, Selvam said, had been entrusted to the government for infrastructure, basic services and public welfare. Its alleged diversion represented a serious failure to protect resources intended to improve ordinary citizens’ lives, he added.

Taking a swipe at the ruling establishment, Selvam said every political party had an information technology wing, but Tamil Nadu was witnessing an unusual situation in which an actor’s fan club and social media supporters had moved from promoting hashtags to running a government.

Managing online trends and administering a state required entirely different capabilities, he remarked.

The alleged fraud involves funds allocated to the Rural Development Department under the 15th Finance Commission. The money was intended for infrastructure development projects but was allegedly transferred to multiple bank accounts.

According to preliminary findings cited in reports, cybercriminals gained access to a specialised transaction portal developed in collaboration with a private bank. Funds were allegedly siphoned off from three separate locations.

Authorities are examining how the perpetrators accessed the portal and whether the fraud involved bank employees or compromised login credentials belonging to government officials.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised transfers. Whether access was obtained through leaked credentials or with assistance from individuals connected to the banking system remains a central question as authorities seek to establish how the breach occurred.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman