YouTuber and journalist A Shankar, popularly known as Savukku Shankar, has moved the Madras High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) Arun IPS, relying on recent adverse observations and findings made against the officer by the High Court while setting aside a preventive detention order.
In his writ petition, Shankar contended that a Division Bench of the High Court, while quashing a preventive detention order passed against realtor Santosh Sharma, had recorded findings that the detention order was issued for extraneous reasons during Arun’s tenure as the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police. The Bench had further observed that the officer had repeatedly passed similar detention orders under the Goondas Act which were subsequently set aside by the High Court.
Referring to the earlier judgment, the petitioner submitted that the Court had found that the detention order had been issued despite the absence of any material indicating a threat to public order. According to the petition, the Division Bench had concluded that the officer, having nearly three decades of service experience, was fully aware of the legal requirements governing preventive detention and had nevertheless proceeded to pass the order.
Shankar argued that the judicial findings amounted to a serious censure regarding the exercise of preventive detention powers and raised concerns about abuse of authority. He contended that the observations were neither casual nor incidental but directly related to the legality, bona fides and propriety of actions affecting personal liberty under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution.
The petitioner further pointed out that the High Court had previously quashed another detention order passed by Arun and imposed costs of Rs 50,000 on the State exchequer. According to him, the repeated judicial criticism of such detention orders warranted a thorough and independent investigation into the conduct of the officer.
Shankar submitted that despite the adverse findings recorded by the High Court, no action had been initiated against Arun by the State government or the competent authorities. He stated that he had submitted representations to the concerned authorities, including the Vigilance Commissioner, seeking appropriate action, but had not received any response.
The petition contends that the continued inaction of the State, despite clear judicial findings, has created a reasonable apprehension that no fair, impartial or independent inquiry would be conducted by State agencies. According to the petitioner, this concern is further aggravated by the fact that Arun presently heads the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, an agency entrusted with investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct against public officials.
Shankar argued that public confidence in the administration of justice and accountability mechanisms would be adversely affected if no action is taken despite judicial findings indicating misuse of statutory powers. He submitted that the matter requires scrutiny by an independent investigating agency insulated from the control of the State government.
The petitioner has therefore sought directions for a CBI investigation into the allegations against Arun and has requested that the agency be directed to place its report before the High Court for consideration of appropriate further action.
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