DMK MLA moves HC for setting up SIT to probe gutkha scam

A DMK MLA today moved the Madras High Court for setting up a special investigation team, headed by a retired judge of the High Court, to probe the alleged involvement of state and central government officials in the 'gutkha scam'.

He also sought steps to seize banned tobacco products.

The first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, before which the PIL filed by DMK MLA J Anbazhagan came up, adjourned the matter till July 31 for resumed hearing.

The petitioner sought setting up of a team headed by a retired high court judge besides officials drawn from the CBI and other departments.

The counsel said the common man was worst hit by "the act of the public servants who have aided and abetted this conspiracy to sell banned carcinogens to the public." The Leader of the Opposition (M K Stalin) had produced evidence and photos in the state assembly on July 19 claiming sale of these products continued freely despite the ban, the counsel said.

"Since a minister of the state and high-level state and central government officers, including high-level police officials, are involved in this scam, no free, fair or impartial investigation can be conducted by the state police.

Only the CBI can conduct a thorough and impartial probe in this matter," the petitioner's counsel contended.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)