In a significant development in the ongoing battle against corruption, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs. 1.12 Crore related to M. Pannirselvam, the former Joint Chief Environmental Engineer (JCEE) of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The attachment includes immovable properties, unaccounted cash of approximately Rs. 3.59 Crore, 61 gold coins, and gold ornaments, and silver articles weighing around 3625.80 grams and 6492 grams, respectively.
The ED’s action stems from its investigation initiated based on two FIRs filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Vellore, Tamil Nadu. These FIRs accuse M. Pannirselvam of corruption and acquiring assets totaling ₹7.54 Crore through ill-gotten gains, disproportionate to his known sources of income.
“During the DVAC proceedings, M. Pannirselvam attempted to mislead investigators by attributing ownership of the liquid cash (Rs. 3,58,93,000/-) found in his possession to his brother-in-law and late parents. However, the evidence collected by the ED contradicts these claims, establishing that his family members have no connection to the seized cash”.
The ED’s investigation further unearthed that M. Pannirselvam made substantial cash deposits of approximately ₹1.5 Crore in his and his family members’ bank accounts. Despite thorough scrutiny, neither the public servant nor his family members could provide satisfactory explanations for these transactions. Additionally, it was revealed that Pannirselvam incurred significant unexplained expenditures, such as those related to his son’s education and marriage, with no substantiated sources.
“Crucially, M. Pannirselvam failed to validate the legitimacy of the sources for acquiring immovable properties registered in the names of his family members. Consequently, the ED considers these unexplained assets as proceeds of crime, originating from his allegedly ill-gotten income during his tenure as a public servant. As a result, on December 28, 2023, the Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached these assets, marking a pivotal development in the pursuit of justice against corruption”.
