HC seeks progress report in property tax scam case

Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday directed the inspector general of police, south zone, to file a detailed report on the progress of investigation into the property tax scam in Madurai corporation.A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman sought the report while hearing a public interest litigation filed by T Ravi, AIADMK councillor of ward 83 of Madurai corporation.The petitioner stated that a huge scam in assessment of property tax in the corporation came to light in 2024. Several corporation officials in connivance with the zonal chairpersons were involved in the scam. He also alleged that the property tax scam resulted in loss of more than Rs200 crore revenue to the corporation.He stated that police had taken action only against low profile people and not against the real culprits who have political influence. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking CBI probe.Earlier, the court observed that the scam of this magnitude had to be investigated by an IPS officer which should be monitored by higher authorities in order to ensure there are no lapses and no higher level persons are left out from the ambit of prosecution. All responsible and accountable for causing a huge loss to the corporation should be prosecuted. Hence, the court had directed the south zone IG and Madurai city commissioner of police to constitute a special investigation team headed by a senior IPS officer with proven integrity to probe the property tax scam.