DVAC to begin probe against minister shortly, HC told

A submission to the above effect was made by Advocate General (AG) Vijay Narayan when a PIL from Arappor Iyakkam came up for hearing on the same issue before the division bench comprising Justice M. Sathyanarayanan and Justice P. Rajamanickam.

Producing a letter dated January 08, 2019 sent by Principal Secretary to Government, Public Department, regards the probe, the AG submitted that the Criminal Original Petition filed by DMK’s R S Bharathi has been taken note of as per Section 17(A)(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Government after a careful perusal has decided to accord permission to conduct preliminary inquiry on the allegations against the Minister.

However, the bench after hearing both sides posted the matter for filing counter by the official respondents including DVAC, Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu and others and posted the matter for further hearing to March 28.

Earlier, V. Suresh, counsel appearing on behalf of Arappor Iyakkam, submitted that serious allegations are leveled against the Senior Minister. But neither the Chief Secretary nor other State Government functionaries are the competent and appropriate authorities to grant permission under section 17(A) (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. The Governor of Tamil Nadu alone can take a call about ordering an inquiry, he said.

He further submitted that the tenders floated were cancelled without any rhyme or reason and re-tenders were once again floated and the eligible contractors who seek to apply for the said tender through bid/ requests were unjustly rejected for extraneous and other considerations.

In this regard contractors of Greater Chennai Corporation have also submitted a detailed representation dated December 06, 2018 to the Corporation Commissioner, the counsel added.