NEW DELHI: AIADMK (Amma) leader TTV Dhinakaran was questioned for close to five hours on Saturday by the inter-state crime branch of Delhi police for his alleged attempt to bribe Election Commission of India officials.
According to police sources, a questionnaire was given to the leader and was subjected to further grilling. The questions were focused on the money trail and his relation with Sukesh Chandrashekar arrested earlier by police in relation with the case. Sources claimed that 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 at its Chanakyapuri Inter State Cell office amid tight security. Sources added that during course of interrogation, his call logs, WhatsApp messages and SMSs were also being examined.
“Questioning is underway and will be summoned again if required. Investigation is on,” said Joint Commissioner of Police Praveer Rajan.
Amid heavy security cover Dhinakaran, his personal assistant Balkrishan and one more associate Malik are also being questioned by the police, sources said.
Earlier this week, the deputy general secretary of the party was summoned by the Delhi police to join investigations. As per reports Dhinakaran’s lawyers were not allowed to accompany him during the interrogation at the Crime branch cell.
"Dhinakaran is being asked about the money trail, his association with Sukesh (Chandrasekar) and whether he has met any Election Commission official or not. After this, there is high possibility of cross-questioning of the two, his call logs, WhatsApp messages and SMSes are also being examined," a senior police official said.
Dhinakaran had come under scanner after the arrest of Chandrashekar , who according to the police acted as a middle man in the case. The Delhi police allegedly have documentary evidence of phone call between Chandrashekhar and Dinakaran in which the latter talks about attempts to bribe the Election Commission. Some documents and identity cards have also been recovered in connection with the crime form the middleman.
A team of Delhi police officials left for Chennai earlier to serve the summons to Dinakaran, Sukesh the middle man is under eight day police custody.
Dhinakaran, was appointed as Deputy General Secretary by Sasikala, has been isolated in his party amid moves to merge rival factions led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami and his predecessor O Panneerselvam.