Chennai: As the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) govt continues to expose irregularities, fraud and pending inquiries against contractors in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) during previous administrations, one more fraud has surfaced.The case pertains to a suspected attempt by then-senior Tangedco officials to secure the release of ₹15.52 crore to a private contractor using a forged communication as if it were issued by the accountant-general (AG) audit office in 2022. The payment for the firm GVPREL, which laid underground power cables in Ooty and Coimbatore from 2008, was withheld citing a delay in completing the project.However, later, an email claiming that AG had withdrawn the objections was circulated among the officers concerned in the Coimbatore distribution circle — to release the pending payment to the private firm. However, verification with the AG office confirmed that they did not withdraw the queries, following which a vigilance inquiry was ordered.The vigilance inquiry found prima facie evidence against P Karuppaiah, the then senior divisional chief internal audit officer (DCIAO), alleging that he drafted and transmitted the disputed communication using the official email credentials of a subordinate officer without authorisation. The report further alleged that he prepared a fabricated letter bearing AG Audit references and facilitated its circulation within the utility.The vigilance wing recommended major disciplinary proceedings against Karuppaiah and Baskar, the then chief engineer (materials management), and called for further forensic examination of electronic records and communications. It observed that the alleged fabrication appeared to have benefited the GVPREL, and certain officials involved in the transaction.A re-enquiry report submitted by the vigilance wing to the chairman of TNPDCL last year had recommended a criminal investigation by the CBCID into the letter linked to payments due to GVPREL. Meanwhile, Karuppaiah was permitted to retire from service on June 30, 2025. The report noted that action under pension rules would continue and that only provisional pension benefits had been sanctioned pending the conclusion of the case.When contacted, TNPDCL chairman J Radhakrishnan said a legal opinion had been sought on this matter since it involved the auditor-general’s office, a central body. “I have responded to the report to seek legal advice before proceeding further,” he said.The report is among several pending vigilance and audit-related cases that are being revisited as the govt reviews allegations of financial impropriety and administrative lapses in the power utility sector.
