Contractor Remanded in Aavin Scam

VILLUPURAM: A Chennai-based contract lorry operator was arrested and remanded in Villupuram sub-jail in connection with the Aavin milk adulteration scam.

Vaithyanathan (47), a resident of Ashok Nagar in Chennai, was arrested by the CB-CID officials on Friday.

In the enquiry, police found that Vaithyanathan had got the contract to transport milk 10 years back and has been doing it ever since.

He owns about 83 tanker lorries and was supplying milk from 13 cooperative societies. He has been involved in the adulteration racket for the past two years with the help of various associates.

The incident only came to light on August 20 when the Vellimedupettai police busted an eight-member gang involved in the adulteration of Aavin milk in Tindivanam. However, the eight members got into the racket only six months back, police found.

The officials then traced the registration number of the tanker lorry, which was transporting the milk and seized the vehicle, belonging to Deepika transport services, from Chennai.

After questioning the owner of the transport company, the officials arrested her husband, Vaithyanathan, whom they found was the mastermind behind the racket.

He was produced before the Ulundurpet court on Saturday night and remanded Vaithyanathan in judicial custody.