The Madras High Court has transferred the probe into allegations of corruption against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy to the Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI.

The opposition DMK filed a petition saying, largescale irregularities have been committed in awarding highways works worth 3500 crore rupees to the close relatives and friends of the Chief Minister, who holds the highways portfolio as well.

However, the state Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption DVAC in its report to the High Court on Tuesday said, there is no material available to take cognizance of the charges.

When the case came up for hearing today, Justice AD Jagadish Chandira ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI. He directed the DVAC to hand over all relevant records to the CBI in a week and fixed the time limit of three months for the completion of the probe.

The court said it does not prefer to express any opinion about the case, and added, the order has been passed only to ensure free and fair investigation.

The opposition parties have demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister following the court order for the CBI probe.