Chennai, 29 Oct (H.S.): Former Tamil Nadu minister K.N. Nehru faced fresh vigilance searches on Thursday as investigators pursued allegations that government job aspirants paid substantial bribes for appointments during his tenure.

Teams from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption searched residences in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai and other premises linked to the DMK leader, according to preliminary information. Party supporters gathered outside his Tiruchirappalli home.

At the centre of the recruitment investigation are allegations that approximately ₹634 crore was collected for appointments to 2,538 posts in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, which Nehru headed.

The Enforcement Directorate alleged that candidates were asked to pay ₹25 lakh to ₹35 lakh each. Its findings reportedly drew on digital communications, recruitment documents and selection records recovered during an investigation involving premises linked to Nehru’s brother.

The searches followed the Madras High Court’s October 26 rejection of Nehru’s plea to review its direction to register a case using material supplied by the ED.

The original direction was issued on February 20, and the DVAC registered a case in June. Nehru has also challenged the High Court’s direction before the Supreme Court.

Thursday’s action followed September 5 searches at 30 locations linked to Nehru, his relatives and others across Tiruchirappalli, Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode.

That operation concerned a separate investigation into alleged departmental contract irregularities. The ED alleged that at least ₹1,020 crore was collected through bribes and commissions involving tender manipulation.

The DVAC reported seizing 241 documents and electronic evidence.

Nehru denied wrongdoing, called the September action political vendetta and pledged a legal challenge. DMK president M.K. Stalin also condemned it as politically motivated.

The High Court clarified that ordering registration of a case does not establish guilt. Investigators must assess the evidence and determine whether offences occurred. The allegations remain under investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman