Tamil Nadu cracks down on registration and housing officials amid corruption probes

The Tamil Nadu coalition government led by TVK has suspended 11 officials from the State Registration Department over the past two months. The disciplinary action involved four district registrars, two sub‑registrars and five assistants after departmental inquiries found merit in public complaints of misconduct and rule violations. The suspensions are part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and citizen‑centric service delivery in property registration.

Separately, the Supreme Court of India ordered senior Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development secretary Kakarla Usha to appear on August 4 and explain an affidavit that appeared to defend an illegal building in Chennai. The Court described the affidavit as “shocking” and “a bold attempt to shield” the building’s owner, directing all states and union territories to submit fresh sworn affidavits on actions against illegal constructions. The bench also tasked the state government with investigating the alleged collusion of municipal officials that allowed the unauthorised structure to remain standing.