Madras High Court Orders CBI Probe Into Alleged ₹397 Crore Transformer Procurement Scam During Senthil Balaji's Tenure As Electricity Minister

The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan has ordered the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to transfer all the files connected with the case to the officer in charge of investigation, who shall be appointed within 2 weeks of the order.

The court has also asked the CBI to conduct a de novo investigation based on the materials. The court has also directed the State government, the TANGEDCO, and the DVAC to extend full cooperation to CBI for conducting an effective investigation and ensure all the documents are placed before the central agency.

The court has also asked the CBI to take earnest steps to conduct the investigation in an effective manner and file a report.

A detailed order is awaited.

The cases were filed by Arappor Iyakkam NGO and members belonging to other political parties seeking the State to register an FIR against the persons involved in the case. The petitioners had informed the Court that though they had sent representations to the State, no action had been taken, prompting them to approach the court.

When the matter was taken up previously, the bench had called for details of the preliminary enquiry from the DVAC.

The petitioners also argued that the State had delayed sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for initiating prosecution against the former Minister. The State, however, objected to it and pointed out that the sanction had been granted now.

The State also argued that the petition was being filed with an ulterior motive by persons belonging to other political parties with the elections just around the corner. The State thus argued that the petitions should not be entertained and must be dismissed.

To this, the Court commented that just because the petitions have been filed by persons belonging to some political party, it could not dismiss it when serious allegations are involved.

The court had then asked the State to place all materials in connection with the preliminary enquiry, documents related to the tender and all other relevant documents before it.

While pronouncing the orders on Wednesday, the court said that the observations in the order were only with respect to the necessity of investigation by an independent agency and should not affect the merits of the case.

Counsel for Petitioners: Dr. V.Suresh, Mr. V.Raghavachari Senior Counsel For Mr. A.G.Vedavikas, Mr. J.Senthil Kumaraiah

Counsel for Respondent: Mr. N.R.Elango Senior Counsel For Mr. E.Raj Thilak and Mr. K.M.D.Muhilan Addl. Public Prosecutor, J.Srinivasa Mohan For M/s. TVJ Associates, Mr.V.Karthic, Senior Counsel for Mr.Senthil.S, Mr.P.Kumaresan, AAG assisted by Mrs.E.Ranganayaki, AGP, Mr.P.S.Raman Advocate General Assisted By Mr. D.R.Arun Kumar, Standing Counsel

Case Title: Arappor Iyakkam v The Director, DVAC

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 189

Case No: W.P.No.8166 of 2024