Former DMK Minister E.V. Velu and Son Seek Anticipatory Bail in Lake Bed Mining Case

The Hindu•Published: Oct 9, 2026 01:28 PM IST

Former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Minister E.V. Velu and his son E.V. Kumaran have approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an alleged illegal lake-bed sand-mining case. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has been granted time until October 13 to file its written objections, with the court advising no coercive action in the interim.

Alleged Illegal Excavation: The case stems from accusations that the father and son excavated over 45 lakh cubic feet of sand from Malappambadi lake to level land for a party conference venue.
DVAC Investigation: The anti-corruption agency registered an FIR based on a complaint by Arappor Iyakkam, alleging a loss of ₹8.22 crore to the public exchequer.
Defense Arguments: The petitioners deny all charges, arguing they are innocent and that the lake did not fall under Velu's ministerial portfolio.

The Context & Background

This legal battle follows an earlier attempt by the petitioners to quash the DVAC's First Information Report (FIR) after the anti-corruption watchdog initiated a formal probe into the land leveling activities conducted around November 2025.

Why it matters:This high-profile legal case involving a former senior cabinet minister and his family highlights increasing scrutiny over environmental violations and resource exploitation by political figures. The outcome could set a significant precedent for accountability regarding illegal mining and abuse of public office in regional governance.

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