TTV Dinakaran has been accused of trying to bribe the Election Commission for the AIADMK party symbol.
Highlights
- Dinakaran leaves for Delhi from Chennai to appear before police
- Was asked to join probe into charges of trying to bribe election body
- Cash-for-party symbol scandal comes amid AIADMK merger talks
For more than seven hours on Saturday, AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran was interrogated by the Delhi Police in the national capital in a probe over a deal to allegedly bribe an Election Commission official to get the 'two-leaves' symbol for his faction of the party.
He has again been summoned on Sunday by the police for questioning.
"TTV Dinakaran appeared before investigating officer of Crime Branch... He was questioned for around 7 hours and at around 10.15 PM he was allowed to go. Since investigation further requires his questioning, he has again been called tomorrow," a statement by the police said.
Mr Dinakaran's lawyers were not allowed to accompany him during the questioning by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police which began at around 3 PM. He had arrived in Delhi from Chennai this morning.
The AIADMK leader's call logs, WhatsApp messages and SMSes were also examined, police said.
Mr Dinakaran had been served summons by a team of the Delhi Police at his Chennai residence for joining a probe on Wednesday just minutes before midnight.
The police had earlier arrested a middleman named Sukash Chandrasekar, who was allegedly trying to fix a deal with Election Commission officials to get the Dinakaran faction the 'two-leaves' party symbol.
Police got on 27-year-old Chandrashekhar's trail after they received a tip-off from an informer about certain Election Commission officials being approached. Sources said that he had struck a deal for Rs. 50 crore for helping the AIADMK faction keep the 'two leaves' symbol.
Mr Dinakaran has denied allegations saying "I've never met or spoken to Sukesh".
Mr Dinakaran, who is the AIADMK (Amma) Deputy General Secretary, is already facing a rebellion in Chennai, as his faction of the party has decided that both Mr Dinakaran and his aunt, VK Sasikala, who is the party chief, would be evicted from their positions. That move is aimed at facilitating a merger with a rival, though much smaller faction of the AIADMK, led by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
A few days ago he chose to step aside from the party following a revolt against him by all ministers with the Chief Minister's backing.
With inputs from PTI