Chennai, 29 April (H.S.):The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities worth ₹397 crore in transformer tender procurements during the tenure of V. Senthil Balaji as Tamil Nadu’s Electricity and Prohibition and Excise Minister between 2021 and 2023.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay V. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan directed the State’s Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to transfer all case-related records to the CBI. The court said an officer to head the investigation must be appointed within two weeks.
Emphasising the need for an independent and comprehensive probe, the Bench ordered a de novo investigation by the central agency based on available materials. It also directed the Tamil Nadu government, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), and the DVAC to extend full cooperation and promptly hand over all relevant documents.
The court instructed the CBI to conduct an effective investigation and submit a report. A detailed order is awaited.
The petitions were filed by Arappor Iyakkam and individuals affiliated with various political parties, alleging inaction by the State on complaints seeking registration of an FIR in the case. Petitioners told the court that repeated representations had not received any response.
During earlier hearings, the Bench had sought details of the preliminary enquiry conducted by the DVAC, along with tender-related documents. It was also argued that there had been a delay in granting sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act to prosecute the former minister. The State maintained that sanction had since been granted.
Rejecting the State’s contention that the petitions were politically motivated, the court said serious allegations cannot be dismissed solely on the basis of the petitioners’ affiliations, and clarified that its observations would not affect the merits of the case.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
