Madras High Court Asks DVAC To Respond To Contempt Plea By MP Inbadurai Over Delay In Filing FIR Against Minister KN Nehru

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to respond to a contempt petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP Inbadurai seeking action against IPS officer AT Durai Kumar (In-Charge Director of Directorate for Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) for alleged wilful disobedience of a High Court order directing DVAC to register a case against Minister KN Nehru and others in connection with a cash for job scam.

The bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan has directed the TNDVAC to file its counter. It may be noted that 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.

When the matter was taken up on Tuesday (3rd March), Senior Advocate V Raghavachari, appearing for the MP, argued that it had been 10 days since the bench's order and despite ordering that the case be registered forthwith, the authorities had taken no action nor any FIR been filed against the Minister.

When the bench enquired why there was a delay, Advocate General PS informed that the DVAC was contemplating moving a review petition against the bench's order.

The AG also informed that he could not appear in contempt cases, but his legal opinion had been sought on whether a sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act would now be necessary, after the court order. Following this, the bench directed the DVAC to file a detailed counter and adjourned the plea.

In his plea, Inbadurai stated that following the court's order, his representation to register an FIR against the Minister was received and acknowledged on February 25, 2026. However, he argued that despite such acknowledgement and specific direction of the court, the DVAC had failed to take any effective steps to implement the order in its true letter and spirit.

Inbadurai states that this continued inaction on the part of the authority amounted to wilful disobedience of the court order and amounted to civil contempt. He states that the authority is deliberately not registering against the Minister under extraneous considerations and political influence, thereby defeating the purpose of the order.

Thus, arguing that the essential ingredient of civil contempt has been made out, Inbadurai has sought to punish the Director in charge of DVAC for wilful disobedience of the court order.

Case Title: IS Inbadurai v. AT Durai Kumar IPS

Case No: CONT P 872 of 2026