Chennai, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Madras High Court on Monday directed the police in Pudukkottai district to submit a progress report by September 15 on a preliminary inquiry into a cheating complaint against former minister C. Vijayabaskar.
The petition was filed by Dhana Vimal, the AIADMK candidate from the Alangudi Assembly constituency, who has sought directions to the police to register an FIR against Vijayabaskar.
Vimal has alleged that Vijayabaskar failed to return Rs 4 crore out of Rs 4.5 crore that he had allegedly collected from him in connection with his bid for the AIADMK ticket.
During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Arun Anbumani informed Justice V. Lakshminarayanan that the Illuppur police had commenced a preliminary inquiry into the complaint.
The court was told that Vimal had been summoned for questioning on August 28 but sought time until September 10. After recording the submission, the judge directed the police to file the inquiry’s progress report by September 15.
According to Vimal’s complaint, he had approached the AIADMK leadership seeking the party ticket for Alangudi. He alleged that Vijayabaskar, who was then the TVK’s Pudukkottai district secretary, called him on November 11, 2025, and asked him to arrange Rs 5 crore to demonstrate his financial capacity to meet election campaign expenses.
Vimal claimed he was assured that the money would be returned immediately after his candidature was announced. He subsequently mobilised Rs 4.5 crore from various sources and allegedly handed the amount to contractor Sothupalai Murugesan at his Pudukkottai office on March 11, 2026.
After Vimal was declared the AIADMK candidate, only Rs 50 lakh was allegedly returned, leaving Rs 4 crore outstanding, the petition stated.
Vimal further alleged that another Rs 10 lakh promised in connection with the mortgage of his father’s immovable property to a person associated with Vijayabaskar was not paid.
The petitioner claimed he met Vijayabaskar 14 times seeking repayment of the money and return of the property documents, but without success. He also alleged that Vijayabaskar later adopted an intimidating approach and used his political influence when repayment was demanded.
The allegations remain unproven, and the police inquiry is currently at a preliminary stage. The High Court has not ordered registration of an FIR at this stage and is expected to consider the police report at the next hearing.
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