CBI Corruption Case: Madras High Court Sentences Former DRT Officials to 5 Years in Jail with Rs. 27 Lakh Fine

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sentenced that five people were found guilty in a CBI corruption case, in a press release. These include a former Recovery Officer, a former official of the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), a former Branch Manager of Dhanalakshmi Bank and two others. They were each sentenced to 5 years of rigorous imprisonment (which means strict jail time with hard labor) and awarded a combined fine of Rs. 27 lakh.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has declared all five people guilty in the corruption case: R. Rajesh Kannan and R. Anitha, two private individuals who are spouses. S. Kasimayan, one of the guilty individuals from the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Madurai, was in the position of Recovery Officer at that moment. Selvaraj, who was an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) at DRT. Shree N. Venkeeshwaran, who was the Branch Manager of Dhanalakshmi Bank, Madurai. Although the Trial Court had earlier discharged them, the High Court found them guilty. They were judged guilty of misusing their official positions to unfairly reduce the upset price (minimum auction price) of properties, setting it lower than market value—an act considered corruption. In conclusion, they were each sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment and given a total fine of Rs. 27 lakh.

On March 30, 2009, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed this case against the people mentioned above. Shri Kasimayan, who was the Recovery Officer at the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) in Madurai at the time, was accused of purposely setting the minimum auction prices of properties much lower than their actual market value in 2008. By doing this, all the accused caused a financial loss to both the bank and the property owner while unfairly gaining money or benefits for themselves.

On June 6, 2025, a charge sheet was issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the above-mentioned people in the conclusion to the inquiry raised. The charge sheet included the names of the people who were later found guilty by the court. However, on December 7, 2016, the Trial Court cleared all the accused. The CBI then appealed this decision in a higher court, challenging their clearance in the criminal case.