DVAC conducts drone survey over illegal sand mining allegations against E.V. Velu
The survey in Malappambadi village aims to assess damage to an irrigation tank following a complaint by an NGO.
Officials from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) carried out a drone survey of an irrigation tank in Malappambadi village near Tiruvannamalai, according to The Hindu. The survey follows allegations of illegal sand mining involving former PWD and Highways Minister and senior DMK leader E.V. Velu.
The drone operation was conducted alongside the Tiruvannamalai Corporation, the Revenue Department, and the police. It aims to determine the total width, depth, and area of the water body affected by the mining.
The assessment follows an August 13 complaint filed by the NGO Arappor Iyakkam at the DVAC headquarters in Chennai. The NGO alleged that sand was illegally extracted to level 124.56 acres of land for the DMK’s Northern Zone Youth Wing Conference held on December 14, 2025.
The complaint claimed the sand theft caused a loss of ₹8 crore to the State exchequer. It further alleged that sand was mined to depths between 10 feet and 23 feet, exceeding the one-metre limit set under the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959.
The survey was monitored by DVAC Deputy SP Ganesan, Tiruvannamalai Revenue Divisional Officer K. Selvam, and Corporation Commissioner K. Balasubramanian.