The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday told the Madras High Court that the previous DMK regime had “protected” former minister Nehru by not acting on allegations linked to irregular appointments in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
The matter relates to alleged bribery in recruitments during 2024 and 2025 for 2,538 posts, including Assistant Junior Engineer positions, with claims that Rs 634 crore was collected as bribes. The cases came up again before a bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan.
Appearing for the state, Advocate General Vijay Narayan said the Enforcement Directorate had written with supporting material regarding the alleged appointment irregularities, but no action was taken earlier. He also referred to the Inbathurai case, arguing that the verdict was reserved and delivered 16 days later, and that Nehru’s side could not claim a right on the ground that their explanation was not sought after waiting for the judgment.
Senior advocates Siddharth Luthra and Arvind Pandian, appearing for Nehru, contended that an order to register a case was passed without hearing Nehru’s arguments, affecting his rights. They further argued that the present government cannot withdraw a review petition filed during the previous regime challenging the order to register the case, stating the government has no such power.
After hearing all sides, the bench reserved its order—without fixing a date—on Nehru’s petition seeking review of the direction to register the case.
