Madras High Court Directs DVAC To Register FIR Against Minister KN Nehru Based On Materials Supplied By ED

The Madras High Court on Friday (20th February) directed the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to register an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply, KN Nehru, for alleged bribery in appointments to the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, based on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate.

The bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that the ED had not just made a vague complaint, but had shared voluminous materials which showed that there was a prima facie case. The court added that even when a preliminary enquiry could be conducted by the State under Section 173 of the BNSS within 14 days, the State was only delaying the investigation.

Thus, noting that a probe by an independent agency was necessary, and noting that a prima face case had been made out, the court directed the DVAC to register a complaint and proceed with the investigation.

Background

In October 2025, the ED had written to the Tamil Nadu police chief informing him that the Minister and his associates were involved in a cash-for-job scam in the MAWS department. The ED had also submitted materials running to 232 pages detailing the Minister's involvement in the scam. The ED had asked the police to take action against the Minister and his associates under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Since there was no action based on these materials, writ petitions were filed by Athinarayanan and by AIADMK Rajya Sabha member IS Inbadurai seeking directions to the DVAC to register a complaint based on information received from the ED. The petitioners argued that the DVAC was duty-bound to take action and conduct a detailed enquiry.

The ED also informed the court that it had shared voluminous material with the state agency and it had to register the cases on the basis of the materials supplied.

The State informed the court that it had acted with alacrity and had forwarded the materials immediately with the DVAC which had begun the enquiry. The DVAC also assured the court that it had begun a detailed inquiry as per the provisions of the Vigilance Manual and would also seek additional materials from the ED, if needed.

Being satisfied that there was a prima facie case, the court has now directed the TN DVAC to register the case and conduct further investigation.

Counsel for Petitioners: Mr. Niranjan S Kumar (through Video Conferencing) for Mr. S.Nirmal Kumar, Mr.V.Raghavachari, Senior Counsel for Mr.N.Inbanathan

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. P.S.Raman Advocate General Assisted by Mr.U.Baranidharan Special Government Pleader, Mr.N.Ramesh Special Public Prosecutor for Ed, Mr.Vikram Choudhary Senior Counsel and Mr.N.R.Elango Senior Counsel assisted by Mr.E.Raj Thilak Additional Public Prosecutor

Case Title: K. Athinarayanan v. The State

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 80

Case No: WP(MD) No. 34197 of 2025 and W.P. Crl No.74 of 2026