The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court’s direction to register an FIR against former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader K N Nehru in connection with an alleged ₹634 crore cash-for-jobs scam.
A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu dismissed Nehru’s petition challenging the High Court’s February 20 judgement and its subsequent October 26 order rejecting his request for a review.
The Supreme Court found no grounds to interfere with either decision, allowing the direction for registration of a criminal case and investigation to stand.
High Court Says FIR Does Not Establish Guilt
The Madras High Court, while rejecting Nehru’s review petition on October 26, clarified that its earlier direction was limited to registering a case and conducting an investigation based on information furnished by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The High Court emphasised that ordering an investigation did not amount to determining the criminal liability of Nehru or any other person mentioned in the allegations.
It explained that the observations in its February 20 order reflected the ED’s allegations rather than judicial findings regarding their correctness.
The Court said investigators would have to examine whether the material supported the allegations and whether Nehru or his relatives had any involvement. Any determination of criminal guilt would ultimately rest with the competent criminal court.
The High Court also observed that registration of an FIR was only an initial procedural step and did not require hearing every person who might subsequently come under investigation.
It added that Nehru would have an opportunity to present his defence during the investigation.
Delay in Raising Objections Considered
Another factor cited by the High Court while refusing to review its earlier decision was Nehru’s failure to raise objections before the original order was pronounced.
The Court had reserved its judgement on February 4, 2026, and delivered it on February 20, leaving a 16-day interval.
According to the High Court, Nehru could have approached it during that period if he wished to place any additional material or submissions on record. However, no such application was filed.
The Bench found that this supported the Advocate General’s contention that the review applicant had allowed the proceedings to continue before subsequently challenging the outcome.
State Government Withdraws Review Petition
The October 26 proceedings also involved a review petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government, which was dismissed following its withdrawal.
In a related contempt petition concerning alleged non-compliance with the February 20 order, the Advocate General assured the High Court that the authorities would proceed with the investigation on the basis of the FIR already registered.
Taking note of that assurance and the withdrawal of the review petition, the High Court concluded that the grievance underlying the contempt proceedings had been addressed.
Allegations Relate to Municipal Administration Department
The case concerns allegations of irregularities in recruitment involving payments for government jobs during the DMK administration in Tamil Nadu between 2021 and 2026.
Nehru, a senior DMK leader from Tiruchirappalli, headed the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department during the period covered by the allegations.
The Enforcement Directorate had provided information concerning the alleged ₹634 crore cash-for-jobs scam, prompting the Madras High Court to direct the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a criminal case.
With the Supreme Court dismissing Nehru’s challenge, the High Court’s direction for investigation remains undisturbed.
