The Madras High Court on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe regarding a reported loss of ₹397 crore caused to the public exchequer due to alleged collusive bidding by private entities while participating in the tenders for the supply of distribution transformers during the tenure of V. Senthilbalaji as Electricity Minister between 2021 and 2023.
First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan passed the orders on a 2024 writ petition filed by anti-corruption organisation Arappor Iyakkam, which had lodged a complaint with the DVAC on July 6, 2023, and then followed it up with the writ petition seeking a direction to the DVAC to act upon the complaint and register an FIR regarding the alleged scam.
The judges further directed the CBI to conduct a de novo investigation and proceed further in accordance with the law. They also directed the Tamil Nadu government, Tamil Nadu generation and distribution corporation (TANGEDCO) and the DVAC to extend their full cooperation to the CBI in conducting an effective investigation by placing all documents related to the case before the CBI officials.
Arappor Iyakkam alleges corruption in purchase of distribution transformers by Tangedco
