New Delhi, 15 July (H.S.):

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government's petition challenging a recent Madras High Court order that restrained coercive action against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu minister E.V. Velu in a multi-crore corruption case.

A Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath observed that the High Court had already directed Velu to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the investigating authorities.

Appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the High Court had effectively granted complete protection from arrest to Velu, even though no such relief had been specifically sought before it.

Responding on behalf of Velu, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that his client was being subjected to harassment following the change of government in Tamil Nadu. He submitted that the registration of FIRs was only the beginning and that further actions against Velu were likely to follow.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court remarked that similar actions had also taken place during the tenure of the previous DMK government. The Bench observed that such measures are generally initiated only after obtaining legal advice.

On July 9, the Madras High Court stayed the Look Out Circular issued against Velu on the condition that he would appear before the investigating officer on July 15. The High Court had also restrained the authorities from taking any coercive action against him until July 28.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar