The High Court of Madras has handed over the Gutka scam probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country’s premier investigating agency, in what might turn out to be a huge cause of embarrassment for the AIADMK regime.

Some time back, complaints were raised in several quarters about the banned Gutka being sold blatantly in the open market almost in all places of the State.  Complaints were raised in particular against State Minister Vijayabhaskar and the then State Director-General of Police Rajendran for having taken ‘huge bribes’ in not bothering to ‘control’ the sale of Gutka in open markets.

In a petition filed with the High Court, the Revenue Department conceded that Gutka baron Madhava Rao had confessed to have paid huge amount to a Minister and to the former DGP and other officials.  Taking up the case yesterday, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee delivered a telling verdict stating that it was imperative to instill in the minds of people a confidence that a fair probe would be held in the scam.

The Court also observed that it was handing over the probe into the case to CBI as it has sweeping powers to bring within its ambit of investigation both the Central and State Govt. officials.  “Handing over the case to the CBI shouldn’t be taken as an act undermining the State’s investigation process,” the verdict noted.