The Court noted that 2,423 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act were pending across the State as of June 30, 2026.
The Madras High Court has called upon the Tamil Nadu Government to consider setting up additional exclusive Special Courts for corruption cases, observing that the substantial pendency of such matters requires dedicated judicial infrastructure rather than being treated as an additional burden on regular trial courts.
Justice B. Pugalendhi issued the directions while dealing with a petition seeking expeditious disposal of a corruption case pending before the Principal District and Sessions Court in Thoothukudi. The Court took note of official figures showing that 2,423 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, were pending across Tamil Nadu as on June 30, 2026.
The Court pointed out that exclusive Special Courts were operational in only eight districts, whereas corruption cases in the remaining 30 districts were being dealt with by Principal District and Sessions Judges in addition to their regular judicial assignments.
Emphasising the statutory framework governing corruption trials, the Court referred to Section 4(4) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which envisages day-to-day hearings, as far as practicable, and an endeavour to conclude trials within two years. It observed that such a legislative mandate could not be effectively implemented merely by asking courts to accelerate proceedings without providing them with adequate infrastructure, judicial time and supporting personnel.
The High Court observed that the volume of pending corruption cases could not reasonably be treated as routine judicial workload to be accommodated alongside the other responsibilities of Principal District and Sessions Judges. It underscored that the objective of expeditious trials would be undermined if courts were unable to devote sufficient attention to these matters because of their existing judicial and administrative commitments.
Accordingly, the Court directed the Registrar General to pursue the proposal for designating Additional Sessions Courts as Special Courts under the Act. It also asked the State Government, in consultation with the High Court, to assess the requirement for establishing exclusive Special Courts in districts where such institutions are presently unavailable.
The State was further directed to ensure the availability of requisite infrastructure and supporting staff, while the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption was asked to provide adequate prosecuting personnel. The trial courts handling corruption matters were also directed to accord priority to these cases and make efforts to conduct hearings on a day-to-day basis.
With regard to the case before it, the High Court noted that although charges had been framed in 2023, only two witnesses had been examined thereafter. It consequently directed the Thoothukudi trial court to make every endeavour to complete the proceedings within six months, avoiding unnecessary adjournments, subject to the cooperation of the parties.
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