Madras High Court Restrains Vigilance Action Against Ex-Minister KN Nehru, Others In Bribery FIR Till June 23
The Madras High Court, on Friday (June 5), asked State not to take any action till June 23, against ex-Minister KN Nehru, others in an alleged bribery case in connection with appointments to Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, based on information shared by ED.
The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan made the direction after taking note of the submission by Tamil Nadu Advocate General Vijay Narayan, who informed the court that the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption had already registered an FIR in connection with the case.
The court noted that during a previous hearing in April, the then Advocate General PS Raman had informed the court that the State would not take action against the then Minister till the court heard the matter on June 23rd. However, the new AG submitted that the undertaking made by the former AG, who was acting under the instructions of the then government, would not be binding on the new government.
Noting that the matter was scheduled for hearing on June 23, the court noted that no harm would be caused to the State if the proceedings initiated by it are kept in abeyance till then. The court thus directed the State not to take any action till the next date of hearing on June 23.
“Be that as it may, since the hearing is already fixed on 23.6.2026, no harm would be caused to the State if further proceedings are kept in abeyance till then. In these circumstances and taking into consideration the statement of the then Advocate General made at the Bar, we direct the State authorities not to undertake any further proceedings against any of the parties till the next date of hearing,” the court said.
Background
On February 20, the bench had directed the Tamil Nadu DVAC to register a case forthwith based on the materials shared by the Enforcement Directorate. The Court had also criticised the delay on the part of the State in proceeding with the investigation even after the ED had shared materials, which prima facie showed the commission of an offence. The court noted that in cases involving such sensitive issues, the State should have acted diligently and registered a case without delay.
Stating that no FIR had been registered against Nehru despite the court order, Rajya Sabha MP Inbadurai had approached the Madras High Court seeking action against IPS officer AT Durai Kumar (In-Charge Director of Directorate for Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) for alleged wilful disobedience of the High Court order.
When the contempt petition came up for hearing previously, the Advocate General informed the court that the delay in registering an FIR was only because the State was contemplating filing a review against the order directing registration of the FIR. Following this, the State had filed a review petition. The former Minister had also filed a review petition challenging the order for registration of the FIR.
When the matter was taken up today, the AG also informed the court that it would be withdrawing the review application.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr.V.Raghavachari Senior Counsel For Mr. N.Inbanathan, Mr.Vijay Narayan Advocate General, Mr.Arvindh Pandian Senior Counsel For Mr.Abishek Jenasenan
Counsel for Respondent: Mr.John Sathiyan Public Prosecutor, Mr.N.Ramesh Special Public Prosecutor
Case Title: IS Inbadurai v AT Durai Kumar and Others
Case No: Cont.P.No.872 of 2026 and Rev.Aplwp. Crl. Nos.2 & 3 of 2026