Chennai, Aug 25:
The Madras High Court has suo motu impleaded a Central government official in a case concerning alleged tender irregularities involving former AIADMK minister S.P. Velumani, directing the Centre to explain the delay in granting sanction to prosecute two IAS officers.
The issue arose during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by the Arappor Iyakkam against the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), alleging non-compliance with an earlier court direction to file a chargesheet in a case involving alleged irregularities worth Rs 98.25 crore.
The case pertains to allegations that, during the AIADMK regime, contracts for road works in the Chennai and Coimbatore corporations were awarded to relatives and close associates of Velumani, who was then the Local Administration Minister.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh had earlier noted that sanction to prosecute Velumani and four other officials had been obtained in February 2024. However, the court questioned why the Central government took 19 months to process the request for sanction to prosecute two IAS officers.
When the matter came up for hearing again on Monday, the Central government sought more time to file its response.
Dissatisfied with the request, Justice Anand Venkatesh suo motu added a Central government official as a respondent in the case and directed the official to explain the reasons for the delay in granting approval on the files.
The judge adjourned the hearing to next month.