Tamil Nadu Minister for Human Resources D. Sarathkumar faced questions in the Legislative Assembly on Monday regarding an old video clip that surfaced, showing him indulging in an act that resembled preparation for snorting drugs. The Minister, however, maintained that he had already given his explanation, stating that he was powdering a tablet for his child on a mobile phone screen using a bank card.
The issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, who accused the Minister of ‘crushing powder’ during an IPL match. Mr. Sarathkumar claimed that he ‘crushed only tablets for his child.’ The Minister questioned whether the Opposition could raise the issue without any evidence, adding that there was no need to raise the issue unnecessarily after he had clarified.
The debate began after Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar recalled the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, an international drug peddler, who was allegedly seen in a photograph with former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, his family members, and ministers. Mr. Udhayanidhi said that when the issue was brought to the notice of the DMK leadership, Mr. Sadiq was arrested and sacked from the party. He asked what action had been taken against the Minister and whether the police had inquired into the matter.
Former DMK Minister K.N. Nehru asked whether it was proper to raise the issue of a job scam case registered by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) when the matter was pending in court. AIADMK member S.P. Velumani said that the complaint of Coimbatore engineering college student late Amuthan’s parents was that drug use was prevalent in schools and colleges across the State. He demanded that appropriate action be taken.
Earlier, CPI(M) MLA A. Chellasamy said that the ‘weeds’ in the police force should be removed to make it efficient. AIADMK member R. Kamaraj demanded ₹25 lakh compensation for the family of Amuthan, saying that ₹6 lakh was not adequate.
