The Madras High Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea filed by DMK Rajya Sabha MP R Girirajan seeking a direction to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to probe BJP leader Nainar Nagendran in a cash-for-votes case [Girirajan v. State of Tamil Nadu].

A Bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadikari and Justice Arul Murugan passed the verdict.

A copy of the judgment is yet to be made available.

Girirajan had alleged that the ED failed to act under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He termed the inaction “arbitrary and illegal.” He also suggested that political considerations may have influenced the agency.

The plea arose from a 2024 incident. Three individuals - Sathish, Perumal and Naveen - were intercepted at Tambaram railway station. They were found carrying ₹4 crore in cash.

According to the petition, the individuals admitted that the cash was meant for distribution to voters. The distribution was allegedly linked to the Tirunelveli parliamentary constituency. Girirajan claimed that the funds were meant to benefit Nainar Nagendran, who was then a BJP candidate.

A case was initially registered by the Tambaram Police. It was later transferred to the CBCID. The investigating agency subsequently added charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code.

Girirajan argued that these offences are “scheduled offences” under the PMLA. He said that this classification brings the case within the ED’s jurisdiction. He contended that the seized money qualified as “proceeds of crime” under the law.

The plea alleged selective action by the ED. It pointed out that the agency has acted in other cases involving political leaders.

Girirajan sought a direction to the ED to investigate the money trail. He argued that judicial intervention was necessary to ensure accountability.

However, the High Court was not inclined to issue such directions and dismissed the plea.

The petition was filed through Advocate SG Prabhakaran.