DVAC raids 73 premises of candidates;TNPSC chairman resigns

Sellamuthu was appointed by way of a government order dated January 3,2010,for a period of six years during the previous DMK regime. The ruling AIADMK had brought the nodal recruiting agency under the vigilance ambit in August last year.

Sellamuthu and other members of the Commission had come under the DVAC scanner over alleged irregularities in recruitment of Assistant Dental surgeons and Motor Vehicle inspectors Grade.

A case had been registered against them under Prevention of Corruption Act,1988 and various IPC sections last year and they are facing charges including criminal misconduct by obtaining pecuniary advantage and abuse of official position.

In the fourth of its state-wide crackdown,DVAC officials today swooped down on candidates who allegedly paid money and are suspected to have got favours. Raids were conducted at the premises of 73 candidates,a DVAC release said.

Searches were conducted at the premises of those who had appeared for various exams held by TNPSC,sources said.

The places that were raided include 13 in Madurai,10 in Chennai,five each in Thanjavur and Pudukottai,four each in Sivaganga,Salem and Vellore,three each in Kancheepuram,Theni,Tiruchirapalli,Erode and Dharmapuri,a DVAC release said.

DVAC had earlier conducted searches at the residences and offices of TNPSC members besides staff (suspected to be involved in the case) and suspected middle men respectively on October 14,November 18 and December 13 last year.