The Supreme Court has rejected the Tamil Nadu government’s petition against DMK leader and former minister EV Velu in a corruption case. The court refused to interfere with the Madras High Court order which had stayed any coercive action against Velu.
New Delhi [भारत]July 15 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court’s interim order barring any coercive action against former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader EV Velu in a corruption case related to alleged irregularities in the execution of road infrastructure projects.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta rejected the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the High Court order, noting that the High Court had already directed Velu to join the investigation.
Arguments from both sides in court
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the government, argued that the interim order effectively granted anticipatory bail to Velu in proceedings where no such relief was sought.
Opposing the plea, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Velu, said he was being prosecuted after the change of government in Tamil Nadu.
What was the order of the High Court?
On July 9, the High Court had stayed a look-out circular against Velu on the condition that he appear before the investigating officer on July 15 and cooperate in the investigation by July 28 amid protection from any coercive action.
The High Court had passed this interim order on Velu’s petition, in which he had challenged the look-out circular issued against him by the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
The case pertains to the corruption probe initiated by DVAC against former Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Velu, alleging irregularities in the implementation of road infrastructure projects during his tenure. (ANI)
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