The Madras High Court on Monday criticised the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and the Tamil Nadu government for the inordinate delay in securing sanction from the Union government to prosecute two IAS officers in a corruption case involving former AIADMK minister S P Velumani.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed interim orders on a contempt petition filed by Jayaram Venkatesan of the anti-corruption organisation Arappor Iyakkam. The petition alleged non-compliance with the court’s earlier directions on obtaining mandatory prosecution sanctions.
The judge referred to Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, noting that the Supreme Court has made it clear that the mandatory time limit for obtaining sanction must be strictly adhered to. However, the required sanction from the Union government for prosecuting two IAS officers is still pending.
“This court finds that the authorities have not complied with the direction given by this court in letter and spirit and the explanation was forthcoming only after the contempt petition was filed,” the court observed.
Justice Venkatesh pointed out that the authorities ought to have filed a petition seeking an extension of time, explaining the reasons for the delay in securing sanction.
“This court is of the prima facie opinion that the respondents are not serious in complying with the direction given by this court,” the judge remarked, stressing that the matter involves serious allegations against a former minister and senior bureaucrats.
The court said it must show greater seriousness in ensuring compliance in such cases and decided to keep the contempt petition pending to monitor the process of obtaining sanction.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 10, 2025.
