Lokpal Finds No Merit in Corruption Complaints Against TMC, DMK MPs

The Lokpal has disposed of separate corruption complaints against rebel Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Arup Chakraborty and DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, holding that the allegations against both lawmakers were “devoid of merit.”

Chakraborty, who represents Bankura, welcomed the decision, describing the allegations as “vexatious and baseless”. Veeraswamy, the Chennai North MP, said the Lokpal order speaks for itself, while declining further comment as a related matter is pending before the Madras High Court.

The Lokpal had directed the CBI in November last year to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations against Chakraborty. The inquiry officer examined more than 45 documents, recorded statements of six witnesses and considered the respondent's comments.

Six allegations of corruption were examined, including claims that Chakraborty allegedly used his brother, Ashis Chakraborty, to facilitate illegal activities and collect illicit proceeds. Other allegations included the unlawful handover of a government fishery project and alleged illegal earnings of ₹50 lakh per month since 2016 from Tarapur Jhil in his constituency.

In its August 28 report, the CBI inquiry officer concluded that all six allegations remained unsubstantiated. The Lokpal, in its September 10 order, noted that the alleged activities took place when Chakraborty was an MLA rather than an MP, placing them outside the ombudsman's jurisdiction under Section 14 of the Lokpal Act. It accordingly disposed of the complaint.

In a separate case, the Lokpal considered a complaint filed on September 10, 2025, against Veeraswamy alleging fraud, intimidation and abuse of influence. The complaint alleged that he coerced the complainant into accepting ₹38 lakh for an investment valued at ₹1.70 crore in a Chennai shopping mall.

Following a CBI inquiry ordered in November 2025, involving nine witnesses and 32 documents, the inquiry officer reported that there was no material establishing the MP's involvement. The Lokpal agreed with the findings and disposed of the complaint as “devoid of merit.”