The Madras High Court has commanded the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption (DVAC) to register a criminal case against Tamil Nadu Minister K. N. Nehru, criticising the State government for its failure to take prompt action despite having detailed evidence.
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava and Justice Arul Murugan emphasised that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on October 27, 2025, conveyed extensive source information under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This material, the Court noted, contained documentary evidence and intelligence prima facie indicating alleged corruption in exchange for lucrative postings, transfers and municipal contracts worth crores of rupees.
The Bench observed that receipt of such comprehensive material should have triggered immediate registration of a First Information Report, rather than extended “verification” or “preliminary enquiry.” The Court underscored that the ED’s communication went far beyond a mere complaint and constituted credible evidence requiring formal action.
While the DVAC had begun a preliminary probe, the Court held that this step could not substitute for the statutory obligation to register an FIR when the available information discloses a cognisable offence. The judges stressed that investigative agencies cannot indefinitely defer lodging a case on the pretext of verification when material on record shows prima facie violations.
The petitions urging judicial intervention were filed by K. Athinarayanan from Madurai and AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP I. S. Inbadurai, both pressing for immediate action based on the ED’s inputs. In response, the High Court directed the DVAC to proceed with FIR registration and expeditious investigation in line with law.
This order marks a firm judicial rebuke to administrative delays in corruption cases involving high-ranking public officials and reinforces the principle that credible investigative leads must be acted upon without undue postponement.
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