Chennai, April 28: K.N. Nehru, the Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply in Tamil Nadu, has filed a petition seeking a review of a previous order from the Madras High Court. This order directed the filing of an FIR in connection with alleged bribery in appointments within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
On February 20, the court had instructed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to register a case based on prima facie evidence of corruption presented by the Enforcement Directorate.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the minister, argued before the bench led by Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that the order was issued without providing an opportunity for a hearing.
Rohatgi requested the court to stay the order until the review petition is resolved, stating that the minister has faced multiple allegations without being heard. He also contended that a notice issued by the court registry on February 4 was illegal, as it was not issued by the bench and the matter had already been reserved for order.
He pointed out that the notice was received after the proceedings had concluded, depriving the petitioner of a fair hearing.
After reviewing the records, the bench noted that it was unclear whether K.N. Nehru had been formally notified. Acknowledging the need for a detailed hearing, the court postponed the case until the last week of June, after the summer recess.
Although Rohatgi sought to prevent the FIR from being filed, the court rejected this request, clarifying that the February 20 order did not explicitly direct the filing of an FIR against Nehru.
Meanwhile, the court also addressed a contempt petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP I.S. Inbadurai, who alleged non-compliance with the earlier order. His lawyer informed the court that this petition would not be pursued during the holidays.
The High Court had previously criticized the state government for delays in acting on the ED’s report, stating that such delays in serious matters are unacceptable. The state government explained that the delay in filing the FIR was due to the review petition, which is currently under consideration.
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