ED Probes Alleged Rs 35 Crore Bribery Attempt to Topple Tamil Nadu Government
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has obtained documents from the Greater Chennai Police related to an alleged Rs 35 crore bribery attempt targeting a ruling party MLA, official sources said on Monday.
The case stems from a complaint by Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He alleged that one Thirunavukkarasu, claiming to be the owner of Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IDPS) — a survey firm — contacted him to support a no-confidence motion against the Speaker and offered a bribe of Rs 35 crore.
The MLA lodged a complaint with the city police. A special team from Triplicane police arrested Thirunavukkarasu and his associates — Naresh of Tiruchi and Thiagarajan of Medavakkam in Chennai. Investigators seized about Rs 60 lakh in unaccounted cash from one suspect's premises, and sources said there was evidence pointing to hawala transactions.
Police investigations revealed that Naresh had met V. Ashok Kumar, brother of former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Minister and Coimbatore (South) MLA V. Senthilbalaji. Further inquiries suggested Thirunavukkarasu acted at the behest of Mr. Senthilbalaji and his brother.
The case is seen as an attempt to destabilise the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. Both TVK and DMK have traded allegations of horse-trading.
ED officials wrote to Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj seeking case documents. “We have given a set of case documents to the ED on their request,” a senior police officer said.
The Madras High Court on July 8, 2026, granted conditional anticipatory bail to Mr. Senthilbalaji and Mr. Ashok Kumar in the case.
