Ex-ministers on PRP payroll

Information gathered from PRP Exports shareholder Palanichamy, during interrogation, has brought under the scanner the role played by a host of former ministers, MLAs, political functionaries and government officials in the illegal mining mafia in the region. Madurai Rural Police have reportedly planned to raid the houses and offices of all those named in Palanichamy’s statement. Palanichamy has provided vital information that could strengthen the investigations into the illegal granite mining cases.

“We have found that many officials, including IAS and IPS officials, were part of a nexus with illegal quarry owners. They in turn received kickbacks, including marble and granite for their bungalows and their relative’s houses,” revealed an official with the special police team. Palanichamy apparently spilled the beans during interrogation at the Appan Thirupathi police station on Friday. Keeping in mind his medical condition, police provided him proper food and permitted him to take medicines. A police officer pointed out that Palanichamy has been cooperating well during the investigation.

Sources claimed that PRP exports supplied granite stones and high quality marbles free of cost for use in bungalows and houses belonging to some politicians, former ministers, government officials and some sitting MLAs.

A former minister, who was very close to Palanichamy, helped him run his business without hassles, the sources said.

Now, Palanichamy has given information about the former minister and some MLAs who received kickbacks from him, they added.

‘Karuvattu Bai’  

In a related development, another granite company owner, S Panneer Mohamed, who was popularly known as ‘Karuvattu Bai’ in Keelavalavu village, was produced before the Melur Magistrate on Friday. Mohamed has been awarded judicial custody for 14 days.

Like Palanichamy, he too was grilled by the special team police.

Mohamed’s father operating a mortuary vehicle and they used to sell petrol, kerosene and karuvadu (dry fish) before starting a granite business, police said.