India, June 25 -- The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday conducted searches at the premises of former Tamil Nadu minister EV Velu and 11 others in connection with an alleged corruption case involving road construction works and payments made for projects that were allegedly not executed.

According to a first information report (FIR), the case stems from a complaint filed by Arappor Iyakkam convenor Jayaram Venkatesan. Based on the complaint, the DVAC has booked Velu, who was then the highways and minor ports minister and is currently the MLA from Tiruvannamalai, along with several highways department officials and contractors.

The FIR alleges that substantial payments were made to contractors in various divi...