The Madras High Court on Monday clarified that it had not issued any order directing the registration of a criminal case specifically against Tamil Nadu Minister K.N. Nehru.
The matter arose from an Enforcement Directorate letter to the Tamil Nadu DGP alleging that bribes amounting to Rs 634 crore were taken in connection with appointments of 2,538 officials, including assistant and junior engineers, in the Municipal Administration Department. Based on this, AIADMK MP Inbathurai moved the High Court seeking directions to register a case.
Earlier, the court had directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a case immediately on the basis of the ED letter. Inbathurai later filed a contempt petition alleging the order was not implemented, while the State government and Minister Nehru filed review petitions seeking to recall the direction.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice Arul Murugan observed that the earlier order did not name the minister or direct a case against him, but only ordered registration of a case relating to the alleged irregularities. The bench adjourned the review petitions and the contempt case to the fourth week of June, without passing any interim order to stay the earlier direction.
