The Supreme Court has rejected the Tamil Nadu government’s plea to overturn the Madras High Court’s temporary order shielding former Tamil Nadu Highways Minister E.V. Velu from coercive action in a Rs 3.23-crore highway fraud case. The High Court had paused the Look Out Circular against Velu until July 28, with the condition that he cooperate with the investigation.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Tamil Nadu government, argued that the High Court’s decision effectively granted anticipatory bail, despite no such request being made. However, the Supreme Court bench led by Justice Vikram Nath upheld the interim protection granted by the Madras High Court, dismissing the state’s appeal.
The case stems from an FIR filed against Velu under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Madras High Court had directed Velu to appear before the Investigating Officer on July 15 and restrained the DVAC from taking coercive measures against him until the next hearing date.
Velu, who was receiving medical treatment in Singapore, assured the investigating agency of his appearance post-treatment. The Tamil Nadu government argued that Velu had repeatedly ignored notices and traveled abroad, leading to the issuance of the Look Out Circular. The High Court emphasized the need for further examination of the case and instructed Velu to cooperate with the probe.
