TVK MLA Bribery Probe Deepens as Police Seize Rs 2.82 Crore, Arrest Two

The investigation into the alleged attempt to bribe Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) legislators has intensified with the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of over Rs 2.82 crore in unaccounted cash from a finance firm in Chennai, police said.

According to police, Karunanidhi and Saravanan , operators of Deepam Finance in Choolaimedu, were arrested on July 18 , a day after officials conducted a search at the premises based on credible information that advance money intended for bribing TVK MLAs had been stored there.

During the raid on July 17 , police recovered and seized Rs 2.82 crore in unaccounted cash . The two operators were subsequently summoned for questioning. During interrogation, they allegedly admitted that the cash had been entrusted to them by an already arrested accused as advance money meant for bribing TVK legislators, according to an official police statement.

The case originated from a complaint filed by TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja , who represents the Uthangarai Assembly constituency , at the Triplicane Police Station .

In his complaint, Elaiyaraja alleged that Thirunavukkarasu , a YouTuber and proprietor of the public opinion polling agency IPDS , along with his associates, offered him an illegal gratification of Rs 35 crore to vote against the TVK's official stand during a vote in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The legislator further alleged that after rejecting the offer, he and his family were subjected to criminal intimidation and threats to their lives . Based on the complaint, police registered a case and began an investigation into the alleged bribery conspiracy.

The latest cash seizure is being treated as a significant development in the probe, with investigators examining whether the recovered funds were linked to the alleged bribery attempt. Police are also tracing the money trail, identifying additional individuals involved, and verifying the source and intended use of the seized cash.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the probe.