The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed the Director General of Police to constitute a special team headed by DIG, Salem Range, Santhosh Hadimani, to probe allegations and counter allegations with regard to unaccounted cash seized from the office of Deputy Director of Fire and Rescue Services in Tirunelveli.

Justice B. Pugalendhi said the allegations and the counter allegations made before the court present a disturbing picture. A serious allegation has been made that certain persons associated with the Fire and Rescue Services Department and the Vigilance Department acted in concert to falsely implicate officials by planting money and creating circumstances suggestive of corruption.

It is said ₹2.25 lakh recovered during the surprise check by DVAC was planted in the office. At the same time, there are allegations that the officials involved in the process of issuing and renewing fire safety licences have been demanding illegal gratification. Allegations have been made both of corruption in the issuance of fire safety licences and of a conspiracy to falsely implicate officials, the court said.

The court said it is of the view that the case warrants transfer of investigation. It is not in dispute that a substantial amount of money was recovered from the office during the surprise check. However, there is a specific allegation that the money has been planted before the surprise check. The CCTV footage produced before the court shows a person entering the office during the previous night carrying a package and later coming out without it, the court said.

The court directed the special team to look into the allegations made against the officials of the Fire and Rescue Services and the Vigilance Department, conduct an unbiased investigation and conclude the investigation in three months. The court issued the directions while disposing of petitions filed in connection with the case.