'Wind Can't Change With Change In Govt': Former Minister KN Nehru Opposes TN Govt's Move To Withdraw Review Of Order Directing FIR Against Him
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for former Tamil Nadu minister KN Nehru, on Tuesday (June 23), argued before the Madras High Court that the State could not change its position with respect to the registration of an FIR against Nehru in an alleged bribery case. The submission was made when the Advocate General Vijay Narayanan informed the bench of Chief Justice SA...
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for former Tamil Nadu minister KN Nehru, on Tuesday (June 23), argued before the Madras High Court that the State could not change its position with respect to the registration of an FIR against Nehru in an alleged bribery case.
The submission was made when the Advocate General Vijay Narayanan informed the bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan that the State was filing a memo to withdraw an earlier review petition filed by it against the order of the court, directing registration of FIR in an alleged bribery case in connection with appointments to Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, based on information shared by ED.
Luthra submitted that the State had, during the hearing of the writ petition, submitted that it was conducting a preliminary enquiry in the case. Thereafter, the State had filed a review petition against the order of the bench. However, with the change in government, the State was now withdrawing the review.
Luthra argued that the State could not be allowed to change its stand with a change in the government and say that the winds have changed.
“They cannot be allowed to change stand like that. They can't say that wind changes when the administration changes. I have an objection on their desire to withdraw. It can't be a situation of approbate and reprobate with change of government,” Luthra argued.
It may be noted that the order for registration of FIR was passed against Nehru while he was serving as the Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply in the Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. After the order was passed in February, the State had filed a review petition against the order. However, in the meantime, the results for the Tamil Nadu General Assembly were declared, with Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party forming the government. Following the change in administration, the TN DVAC, acting under the new government, has registered an FIR in the case. Further, the State has now decided to withdraw the review petition against the order for registering the FIR.
During the hearing today, Luthra also pointed out that it was a case where a notice was issued to Nehru without an order of court. He pointed out that even though the notice was issued, he (Nehru) was still handicapped since the notice was issued on the day the matter was reserved for orders.
After hearing the parties, the court decided to take up the review applications for hearing on July 10. The court also said that it would close the contempt petitions filed by Inbadurai and others since the contempt had become infructuous as the State had already registered an FIR in connection with the case.
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. The State and Nehru had also filed review petitions against the court's order for registering an FIR.
When the contempt came up for hearing before the summer vacations, then AG PS Raman had assured the court that the State would not take action against the Minister till the contempt and review petitions were heard by the court.
However, after the vacations, the new AG Vijay Narayan informed the court that the TN DVAC had already registered an FIR in the case. The AG also informed the court that the undertaking made by the former AG, acting under the instructions of the previous government, will not bind the new government.
Following this, the Court had asked the State not to take any action against the Ministers till June 23.
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