DMK MP Petitions Madras High Court for ED Action Against Former AIADMK Ministers
In a significant legal development, DMK Rajya Sabha MP and advocate R Girirajan has filed a series of seven petitions in the Madras High Court. These cases seek to direct the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to register Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The petitions target seven former AIADMK ministers, including S P Velumani, alleging that proceeds of crime from pending cases against them require thorough investigation.
Expanding the Scope: Additional Petitions Filed
Beyond the former ministers, Girirajan has also submitted similar pleas against former T Nagar MLA B Sathyanarayanan and R Elangovan, who served as the former president of Salem District Central Co-operative Bank and chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Apex Co-operative Bank. This broadens the legal challenge to include multiple figures from the previous administration, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to alleged financial irregularities.
Allegations and Legal Grounds
The petitioner highlights that four FIRs have been registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against S P Velumani. These cases pertain to various alleged irregularities during his tenure as the municipal administration minister, such as corruption in tender processes for Chennai and Coimbatore corporations. According to Girirajan, once corruption is identified through preliminary enquiries or final reports, it constitutes proceeds of crime under Section 2(1)(U) of the PMLA.
He cites the binding decision of the Supreme Court in the Y Balaji Vs V Karthik Desai and others case from 2024, which mandates the ED to register information reports in such instances. Girirajan argues that since the registration of cases, investigation progress, and final reports are publicly available documents, the ED should have already initiated ECIRs. He contends that any failure by the ED to act, potentially due to political considerations, justifies the high court's jurisdiction to issue directives for legal compliance.
List of Former Ministers Targeted
The petitions name several former AIADMK ministers alongside S P Velumani, including C Vijaya Baskar, R Kamaraj, K C Veeramani, P Thangamani, K P Anbalagan, and M R Vijaya Baskar. This extensive list underscores the petitioner's aim to address multiple allegations of money laundering across different ministerial portfolios from the previous government.
Upcoming Hearing and Implications
The petitions are scheduled to be heard by the first bench of the Madras High Court, led by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, next week. This legal move could have significant political and financial ramifications, as it pressures the ED to investigate high-profile figures and potentially uncover illicit financial activities. The outcome may influence public perception and legal precedents regarding anti-corruption measures in Tamil Nadu.
