---
title: "Tiruvannamalai Collector Orders Probe into Alleged Illegal Sand Mining by E.V. Velu"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/tiruvannamalai-collector-probes-illegal-sand-mining-allegations-vat0u
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-14T16:00:34.825Z
modified: 2026-08-14T18:30:08.666Z
language: en-IN
---

# Tiruvannamalai Collector Orders Probe into Alleged Illegal Sand Mining by E.V. Velu

Tiruvannamalai Collector Vandana Garg will form an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of large-scale illegal sand mining in Malappambadi village. An NGO's complaint claims the sand was used for leveling land for a DMK youth wing conference, causing an estimated ₹8 crore loss to the exchequ

## Key takeaways

- Tiruvannamalai Collector Vandana Garg will form an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of illegal sand mining.
- The probe is in response to a complaint filed by NGO Arappor Iyakkam regarding sand extraction in Malappambadi village.
- Allegations suggest the sand was used for leveling land for a DMK youth wing conference, causing an estimated ₹8 crore loss.
- Previous complaints to local authorities about sand excavation in the area had reportedly gone unaddressed.

An inquiry committee will be established to investigate accusations of illegal sand extraction from the dry lake bed in Malappambadi village, near Tiruvannamalai. Collector Vandana Garg confirmed the district administration's awareness of complaints concerning sand mining activities attributed to senior DMK leader and former Minister E.V. Velu.

## What Happened

The Tiruvannamalai Collector's office will form an inquiry committee to probe allegations of significant illegal sand mining. These accusations were formalized in a complaint filed on August 13 with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai by the NGO Arappor Iyakkam. The complaint alleges that E.V. Velu and his associates illicitly extracted substantial quantities of sand from the Malappambadi lake bed. This sand was reportedly used to level a 124.56-acre area for the DMK's northern zone youth wing conference, held on December 14 of the previous year. The complaint further states that this extraction resulted in an estimated ₹8 crore loss to public funds. Arappor Iyakkam also suggested that Mr. Velu, who was the DMK's northern zonal in-charge for the 2026 Assembly election, supervised the logistics for the conference.

## Key Facts

- Allegations of large-scale illegal sand mining have been made against E.V. Velu in Malappambadi village, Tiruvannamalai.
- Tiruvannamalai Collector Vandana Garg announced that an inquiry committee would be formed to probe these charges.
- An NGO, Arappor Iyakkam, lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai on August 13.
- The complaint alleges sand was mined from the dry lake bed to level 124.56 acres for a DMK youth wing conference on December 14 of the previous year.
- The estimated loss to the exchequer due to the alleged sand theft is ₹8 crore.
- The NGO claims sand was extracted to a depth of 10-23 feet across approximately 12 acres, exceeding permissible limits under the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959.

## Background

Previous complaints from residents and farmers' organizations, spearheaded by environmental activist Arul Arumugam, regarding illegal sand excavation in the area had reportedly been submitted to local administrative bodies, including the Collector, Tahsildhar, Village Administrative Officer, and Tiruvannamalai Corporation, without apparent action. The Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, permits sand excavation only to a depth of one meter and for specific local uses such as agriculture, pottery, and domestic needs.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/tiruvannamalai-collector-probes-illegal-sand-mining-allegations-vat0u
Reported from: Multiple Sources