The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered a case against five persons, including a former panchayat head, for allegedly misappropriating ₹2.56 crore in the Sankarapuram Panchayat.

The DVAC officials in Sivaganga district received a complaint regarding irregularities in various activities at the Sankarapuram Panchayat near Karaikudi from May 2020 to December 2022.

The complaint alleged irregularities in cleaning overhead water tanks, COVID-19 management, and dengue prevention work, road repairs, and garbage vehicle rentals. During the investigation, it was found that ₹2.56 crore was embezzled from the panchayat fund using forged documents.

Based on the investigation, DVAC officials named Pandiarajan, 34, panchayat vice-chairman, Nallammal Selvarani, 34, former ward member, Annamalai, 37, former panchayat secretary, Hemalatha, 57, and Kesavan, 63, both former Block Development Officers, in the case.

Annamalai has since been appointed panchayat secretary for Manamelpatti Panchayat in Tirupattur Union and Hemalatha has been promoted as Assistant Director of Rural Development (Audit) in Pudukkottai district. Kesavan has since retired.