DVAC launches probe into the alleged sand mining scam during the DMK government

A detailed inquiry was ordered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) which alleged serious irregularities in the mining of river sand across Tamil Nadu

Updated - October 06, 2026 06:36 am IST - CHENNAI

The quantum of illegal sand excavated was assessed across all 28 river-sand mining sites in Tamil Nadu with the help of advanced techniques. The Directorate of Enforcement said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was put at ₹4,730 crore. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The ED said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was quantified at ₹4,730 crore, which the investigators alleged was the proceeds of crime

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has launched an investigation into the alleged ₹4,730-crore sand mining scam which had taken place during the previous DMK government.

A detailed inquiry was ordered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) which alleged serious irregularities in the mining of river sand across Tamil Nadu, official sources said on Monday (October 5, 2026).

The DVAC has sent notice to the contractors, officials, and others involved in the scam as part of the detailed inquiry which is usually conducted for establishing prima facie offence before a case is registered, the sources said.

The central agency had written to the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police on June 13, 2024, giving evidence of the illegal sand mining and requesting registration of a First Information Report. A reminder was sent to the DGP on July 18 that year, but no action was taken.

The ED had registered a case of illegal sand mining under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Investigators collected evidence by deploying advanced scientific techniques with the assistance of experts associated with a company incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

The quantum of illegal sand excavated was assessed across all 28 river-sand mining sites with the help of advanced techniques.

The ED said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was quantified at ₹4,730 crore, which the investigators alleged was the proceeds of crime.

ED officials also relied on the GPS data provided by the company which had sold the excavators used by the contractors. The technical data — precise GPS co-ordinates, Geo Scanning, and Geo Fencing — provided by the company revealed the details of operational hours and excavation timings of the machines at precise locations.

“The ED compared the data with the GPS coordinates of the permitted quarries and the number of machines permissible under the State government rules. The findings conclusively established that the subject excavators were deployed and operated beyond the demarcated boundaries,” the agency said.

Published - October 06, 2026 05:36 am IST

crime, law and justice / violation of law / law enforcement / rivers / natural resources / mining

Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.