Tamil Nadu state industries minister Thangam Thennarasu on Monday said that the DMK government is determined to enact strong legislation for banning online rummy in the State. He was speaking to media persons at DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam.

The five time legislator accused former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami of attempting to create an impression that online rummy was flourishing in the State now. He said said that the previous AIADMK regime headed by EPS had brought defective legislation and that is the reason for High Court quashing the law.

Taking exception to EPS’ statement that DMK regime was in nexus with the organisers of online rummy, the minister said that he could also allege that the AIADMK was in nexus and they had enacted a defective law, which did not stand subsequent judicial scrutiny, reported DTnext.

“We are determined to completely ban online rummy in the State. We don’t want to do it in a haphazard manner. We are consulting legal experts. Tough law to ban online rummy would be enacted in the state soon, ” the minister added.

Earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu government announced that it will form a special investigation team to inquire into the death by suicide of persons who were caught in a debt trap by online gambling. A Superintendent of Police from the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) would lead the SIT.

Last Sunday, Tamil Nadu DGP C. Sylendra Babu has warned the public that playing online rummy could lead to debt and suicide. The top cop said the number of people losing money and jewellery due to online gaming has increased in the last few months.