The Madras High Court has clarified that it has not directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to file a First Information Report (FIR) against DMK minister K N Nehru based on information provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court stated, "The order only states that an FIR must be registered regarding the alleged offence." This clarification came while hearing review applications moved by Nehru and the Tamil Nadu government.
Background of the Case
On February 20, the first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan directed DVAC to register an FIR based on information provided by the ED. The order was passed in response to a petition filed by AIADMK MP I S Inbadurai, who alleged that DVAC was deliberately refraining from registering an FIR against the municipal administration minister K N Nehru due to extraneous considerations and political influence.
Review Applications Filed
During the hearing on Tuesday, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Nehru, submitted that the court passed the order without providing an opportunity for Nehru to respond to the plea. He pointed out that Nehru received the notice in the case only after the order was reserved. Therefore, he requested the court to stay the order directing registration of an FIR until the disposal of the review applications.
Court's Response
Since counsel for the petitioner, I S Inbadurai, submitted that they would not pursue the contempt petition until the review application is decided, the court adjourned the hearing to the last week of June. The court emphasized that its earlier order did not specify any particular individual but only required the registration of an FIR regarding the alleged offence.
The case highlights the ongoing legal battle between the DMK minister and the AIADMK MP, with allegations of political influence and delay in legal proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for late June.
