Madras High Court Closes Plea Seeking CBI Action Against BJP Leaders Over Alleged 'NaMo App' Micro-Donation Scam

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan closed the plea after Special Public Prosecutor for CBI informed the court of having closed the complaint made by the petitioner since it did not fall under the purview of CBI. Thus, the court was inclined to close the present petition also.

“The learned Special Public Prosecutor(CBI) appearing for the seventh respondent submitted that on scrutiny, it was found that the complaint does not fall under the purview of CBI and therefore, the said complaint was closed on 17.02.2026. Recording the above submission, this writ petition is closed,” the court said.

The petition, filed by BR Aravindakshan, a resident of Chennai, had alleged that the party has cheated countless members of the public to make donations through the app for the Union Government's schemes, when in reality the funds were collected for the party.

The petitioner had submitted that he had come across the social media posts made from the handles of JP Nadda announcing a “special micro-donation campaign” and appealing the public to make donations that would empower the party. He submitted that the links provided for the donation had made him believe that the contributions were linked to the BJP and various union government schemes.

The petitioner added that he also came across social media posts made from the handle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for similar donations, and on perusing the interface of the app, he was made to believe that he was directly contributing towards government welfare schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Kisan Seva.

The petitioner, however, submitted that after making the donation, he received email receipts from the BJP's central office, which showed that the funds were collected by the party and not for any government scheme.

The petitioner also submitted that he had filed RTI applications to verify the legality and to see if the Union Government had permitted any NGOs or individuals to raise funds for the scheme. As per the reply received, the petitioner submitted that it was clear that no provision existed that permitted the collection of funds by any individual or NGO. The petitioner also submitted that when he sought an RTI response on the functioning of the NaMo app and how the Prime Minister's official app was used to collect funds for a party, he was informed that the information was not part of the record.

The petitioner thus argued that the party persons had criminally conspired by joining minds for the common motive of raising illegal funds for the party. He submitted that the party and its officials have used the names of government-sponsored schemes, creating an illusion as it the are authorised to raise funds and enticed members of the public to contribute, thereby amassing unlawful wealth for the party.

The petitioner alleged that the party and its men had committed cognisable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, provisions of the Representation of the People Act, and the rules relating to political party funding. He had therefore sought a CBI probe into the issue.

However, noting that the issue did not fall within the purview of CBI, the plea has now been closed.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. P. T. Perumal

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. K. Srinivasan, Special Public Prosecutor(CBI), Mr. R. Ganesh Kumar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)

Case Title: BR Aravindakshan v Union of India and Others

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 318

Case No: WP.Crl.No.998 of 2026