The Madras High Court is overseeing an investigation into allegations that former Minister C. Vijayabaskar cheated an AIADMK candidate of ₹4.5 crore under the guise of proving election funding capabilities.

  • Former Minister C. Vijayabaskar is accused of defrauding AIADMK candidate Dhana Vimal of ₹4.5 crore.
  • The money was allegedly taken to prove the candidate's financial capacity to meet election expenses.
  • Madras High Court has directed police to report progress by September 15, 2026.

The Madras High Court has been informed that a formal inquiry is currently underway regarding a high-profile cheating complaint lodged against former Minister C. Vijayabaskar. The allegations involve a staggering sum of ₹4.5 crore, which was purportedly taken from Dhana Vimal, the AIADMK candidate for the Alangudi Assembly constituency.

During the proceedings on September 7, 2026, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Arun Anbumani submitted to Justice V. Lakshminarayanan that the Illuppur police in Pudukottai district have summoned the complainant for a preliminary inquiry. While the summons were issued for August 28, the complainant has requested an extension until September 10, 2026, to appear before the authorities.

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The Core of the Allegation

The legal battle began when Dhana Vimal filed a writ petition seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). According to the petition, the ordeal started on November 11, 2025, when Mr. Vijayabaskar—then the Pudukottai district secretary of the AIADMK—contacted Vimal. He allegedly demanded ₹5 crore to prove that Vimal possessed the necessary means to fund his election campaign for the Alangudi seat.

Vimal claims he managed to arrange ₹4.5 crore through various sources and handed the cash over to a contractor named Sothupalai Murugesan at an office in Pudukottai on March 11, 2026. The agreement was that the funds would be returned immediately after the declaration of candidature. However, after Vimal was officially named the candidate, Mr. Vijayabaskar allegedly returned only ₹50 lakh, leaving a massive deficit of ₹4 crore.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a disturbing trend of 'financial vetting' or potential extortion within political party machinery during ticket distribution. When influential party leaders demand huge sums to 'prove' financial stability, it creates a gateway for corruption and financial coercion. The shift of Mr. Vijayabaskar to the TVK party further complicates the political dynamics of the case, as the complainant alleges that political influence is being used to intimidate him.

The intersection of electoral funding and private financial transactions often leads to legal grey areas that are exploited by politically powerful individuals.

The complainant further alleged that he mortgaged his father's property to another associate of the former Minister and was promised ₹10 lakh in return, which he claims was never paid. Vimal asserts that he met Mr. Vijayabaskar on 14 separate occasions to demand his money back, only to be met with threats and intimidation.

Did You Know?: In Indian electoral law, candidates must declare their assets and liabilities in an affidavit, but the internal 'vetting' processes of political parties remain largely unregulated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the current status of the police investigation?
The Illuppur police have summoned the complainant, and the Madras High Court has ordered a progress report to be submitted by September 15, 2026.

Q2: Who is the primary accused in this cheating case?
The primary accused is former Minister C. Vijayabaskar, who previously served as the AIADMK Pudukottai district secretary.