The Tamil Nadu government is contemplating filing a review petition against a court order directing the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register an FIR in a cash-for-jobs scam involving the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department led by Minister K.N. Nehru. The DVAC’s review consideration was revealed during a hearing at the Madras High Court in response to a contempt petition filed by AIADMK Rajya Sabha member I.S. Inbadurai against former DVAC Director A.T. Durai Kumar. The petitioner accused the DVAC of deliberate non-compliance with the court’s directive.
Senior counsel V. Raghavachari argued that the DVAC had disregarded clear judicial orders, prompting the court to seek the state’s stance. Advocate General P.S. Raman clarified that the DVAC would be represented by senior counsel N.R. Elango in the contempt proceedings. However, Raman mentioned that the agency sought legal advice on the necessity of prior sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act before filing the FIR. The court instructed the DVAC to submit a detailed counter-affidavit within two weeks and postponed further proceedings.
In his affidavit, Inbadurai characterized the alleged scam as significant and organized, alleging that bribes ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 35 lakh were taken from candidates for various positions, including Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) reportedly discovered evidence suggesting that the money was funneled through hawala channels before entering the banking system. The ED seized documents during searches at the residences of the Minister’s brothers, N. Ravichandran and K.N. Manivannan. The High Court had criticized the DVAC for only conducting a preliminary inquiry despite the ED’s findings and had ordered the immediate registration of an FIR due to the gravity of the accusations.
