More trouble for TTV Dinakaran as Delhi police files bribery case against him

NEW DELHI: Trouble is mounting for Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran, as Delhi's Crime Branch registered a case against him today in a case of attempting to bribe the Election Commission of India (EC) for the AIADMK's symbol.

Sasikala's faction contested the by-elections on the hat symbol after the EC froze the two leaves symbol+ of the AIADMK acknowledging the split in the party,

The police action comes in the wake of arrest of an alleged middleman named Sukesh Chandrasekhar from Hyatt hotel on Sunday night. Delhi Police chief spokesperson Dependra Pathan confirmed the arrest.

At least Rs 1.3 crore has been recovered from Dinakaran, police said, which he was planning to use to bribe EC officials with. In total, around Rs 50 crores were to be paid as bribe, police have said.

An FIR has been filed under Section 8 of the Prevention of the Corruption Act. The section pertains to taking gratification, in order, by corrupt or illegal means, to influence public servant. Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC has also been invoked.

Dinakaran, who is considered to be a close Sasikala aide, will be served notice to join the investigation, police said.

PRO Madhur Verma said the accused had been picked up from Hyatt hotel on a tip off. "He will be produced before either magistrate," he said.

Joint commissioner Praveer Ranjan has formed a special team comprising sleuths of the inter-state cell of crime branch to probe the high profile case, it has been learnt.

The Delhi police's case against Dinakaran comes even as a major crisis looms in the state government with a section of ministers revolting against him and seeking his resignation as party deputy general secretary.

Should there be an attempt to dethrone him from the key party deputy general secretary post, Dinakaran is banking on a few MLAs to not only bail him out, but also bring down the Edappadi Palaniswami government.

"Let the ministers revolt against Dinakaran, he enjoys the support of 38 MLAs. The government will not survive," said a confidante of Dinakaran to TOI.

Hectic lobbying has begun in party general secretary VK Sasikala's family- primarily Dinakaran, husband M Natarajan and brother V Divakaran - to poach as many MLAs as possible from the ruling party.