Chennai, Aug 17 — The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has issued a Look Out Circular against Rathesh Raj Shanmugavel, one of the seven accused in a case involving alleged large-scale irregularities in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), sources said.
Rathesh Raj, the brother of a Tamil Nadu-cadre IPS officer, is suspected to have left the country to evade arrest. Authorities have initiated efforts to trace him and prevent his movement through airports and other immigration points.
The DVAC registered the case in July over alleged malpractices committed between 2021 and 2025, when former Minister V. Senthil Balaji held the Prohibition and Excise portfolio. The allegations cover the manipulation of bar licence tenders, transport contracts, liquor-brand approvals and transactions involving distilleries, breweries and bottling companies.
Senthil Balaji, who is also named in the case, has secured anticipatory bail. He and the other accused have denied the allegations.
In its FIR, the DVAC described Rathesh Raj as an “unauthorised power broker” who allegedly exercised undue influence over crucial administrative and commercial decisions in Tasmac.
Investigators alleged that he influenced the then Tasmac Managing Director in matters including the approval of liquor brands, award of bar licences and transfer of officials.
The agency is examining the extent of his alleged role and his links with other accused. At least two persons have already been arrested in connection with the investigation. They include Mulanoor Karthik, who is suspected to have headed a Karur-based group that allegedly collected money from bar owners in the name of “party funds”.
According to the DVAC, a network of bar operators, intermediaries and proxy bidders manipulated tender procedures. Demand drafts were allegedly misused to control bids, while transportation contracts for Tasmac depots were purportedly diverted to favoured companies.
The agency has also alleged that inflated or bogus transactions were carried out through suppliers and distilleries, with part of the proceeds routed as illegal kickbacks.
Investigators are scrutinising financial records and other documents to trace the alleged flow of money. Soon after registering the case, DVAC teams searched more than 40 locations across Tamil Nadu. The agency claimed to have seized documents and electronic material relevant to the investigation.
Further inquiries are underway to identify other beneficiaries, verify the allegations and establish whether Rathesh Raj has travelled abroad.