Tamil Nadu: The Madras High Court has dismissed petitions filed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seeking the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to register cases against former AIADMK ministers and an MLA based on cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Department. The court refused to direct the ED to investigate the matter.
The petition was filed by DMK Rajya Sabha member R. Girirajan. The petition alleged that corruption and disproportionate assets cases were filed against several ministers during the previous AIADMK government, and investigations are still pending. The petition sought directions to the ED to take action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on these cases.
The petition specifically accused former minister S.P. Velumani of irregularities in road construction and LED light purchases in corporation areas during his tenure. Furthermore, other former ministers such as Thangamani, C. Vijayabhaskar, K.P. Disproportionate assets cases were also mentioned against Anbazhagan, M.R. Vijayabhaskar, Kamaraj, and K.C. Veeramani. Former MLAs Satya and Salem Elangovan were also included in the petition.
All these cases are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Department and have not yet been completed. The petitioner argued that the Enforcement Directorate should take suo motu cognizance of these pending cases and file money laundering cases.
The matter was heard before a bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arulmurugan. Senior advocate N.R. Elango, representing the petitioner, argued that information regarding the assets-related cases against the former ministers is available in public domains and action is necessary.
However, after considering all the arguments, the court dismissed the petitions. The court clarified that it is not appropriate to issue directions to the Enforcement Directorate at this stage.
Following this decision, the Anti-Corruption Department’s investigation into the related cases will continue. At the same time, no instructions have been issued by ED regarding any possible action.
