Tamil Nadu government objects to ASG SV Raju appearing for former Minister SP Velumani before Madras High Court

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday raised strong objection against Additional Solicitor General and Senior Advocate SV Raju representing former AIADMK Minister SP Velumani before the Madras High Court in a corruption case..A Bench of Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice N Mala was hearing a petition filed by Velumani in relation to a case registered against him for irregularities in the award of corporation contracts.The former minister sought quashing of two FIRs registered against him by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai and Coimbatore last year..Just when today's hearing began, ASG Raju joined the proceedings from Delhi via video conference.Advocate General (AG) for Tamil Nadu R Shunmugasundaram immediately registered his protest before the Bench, saying,"He (Raju) is the ASG and represents the Union government on many matters pertaining to corruption by public figures. How can he be permitted to represent a former minister in this case?"He also told the Bench that the Income Tax department had recently raided one of Velumani's associates and under such circumstances, it was "improper" on the part of Raju to represent Velumani in the corruption case.The AG further said that the DVAC would write to the Central government to withdraw the permission granted for Raju to represent Velumani..Raju and Advocate PB Suresh, who also appeared for Velumani, objected to the AG's submissions."Only a client can decide who can represent him. The government should have no say in this," Suresh argued.After hearing the parties, the Bench said,"We are not going to accept the objection raised to the senior counsel's appearance. Till the Union government's permission exists, we cannot restrain him from appearing."The Court added that the AG and the DVAC had a right to write to the Centre, but until then, no orders could by passed by the High Court restraining Raju from appearing for Velumani..Objection was also raised to the Chief Justice's Bench hearing the quashing pleas filed by Velumani. Instead, the matter should be assigned to a special bench dealing with cases against MP and MLAs, the AG argued.In response, the Bench orally observed that it prima facie has jurisdiction to hear Velumani's pleas.A writ petition and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed on the issue by an NGO were tagged along with the quashing petitions, and they had already been hearing the same, the Bench added..In 2019, following a plea alleging corruption in awarding of corporation tenders by the Greater Chennai and Coimbatore civic bodies, and Velumani's involvement in the same during the AIADMK regime, the High Court had appointed Superintendent of Police R Ponni to probe the complaints and find out whether any cognisable offence was made out.The officer gave a clean chit to the former minister in December 2019 and in January 2020, the then government accepted the preliminary inquiry report. However, after a change of rule in Tamil Nadu, in May 2021, the DVAC registered two FIRs against Velumani..On Monday, ASG Raju argued that the FIRs were a clear case of "misuse of power."The Court then asked the State government if the FIRs showed any direct involvement of the former minister in the alleged offences.To this, the AG replied that the FIR dealt with collusion of several parties to award tender contracts to relatives and associates of the former minister, and that the consequent money trail led to Velumani.Raju, however, said that Velumani had not received "even a penny" from the said contracts..Madras HC notice in PIL against TN Minister, SP Velumani for alleged corruption in award of Corporation Contracts