I-T hands over docus on DGP

Madurai: The Central government's standing counsel on Wednesday submitted allegedly incriminating documents that had been seized by the Income Tax (I-T) department during a raid on the premises of 'gutka manufacturers' some time back, before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court.

A local trade unionist K Kathiresan has filed a petition before a division bench comprising Justices K Sasidharan and G.R. Swaminathan challenging the reappointment of T.K. Rajendran as DGP on the ground that he was allegedly involved in the 'gutka scam' that took place during his tenure as Chennai police commissioner. State government granted extension of service to Rajendran on the day of his superannuation on June 30.

Based on the court direction, the chief commissioner of I-T department submitted the documents, which allegedly contained the names of government officers and other public servants, in a sealed cover before the judges today.

On the fresh petition filed by the trade unionist seeking protection from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as he and his family members faced threats to their lives, the court directed the additional advocate general to file a response.

When the petitioner's counsel A Kannan tried to justify his plea, stating that policemen working under the control of the DGP might not be able to reliably protect him, the court said that he had not produced any evidence to substantiate his claims. The court posted the next hearing to July 17.