Supreme Court rejects TN plea challenging relief to former DMK minister EV Velu in corruption case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging Madras High Court's recent order for a stay on taking any coercive steps against former minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader EV Velu in a multi-crore corruption case.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that the High Court has already directed Velu to join investigation.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the State government, said a blanket embargo on arrest was ordered by the High Court in a quashing case even in absence of a prayer for it.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Velu, said he was being prosecuted after the change of power in Tamil Nadu.

"Now this is the start. I am an ex minister, the moment government changes, FIRs are filed. More will come," the senior counsel said.

The Court remarked that the DMK-government may have taken similar actions when in power.

"You have done the same thing earlier. What’s wrong in that," it said.

On a lighter note, the Court also remarked that such actions are taken after “proper legal advice”.

"They will keep on doing it. Why do you worry. Good for you. You should be thankful," it added.

However, Singhvi responded that the previous government hadn't allowed the complaint to be prosecuted.

Since the Court was not convinced of the State's plea on merits, it dismissed it.

The High Court had on July 9 stayed a look-out circular against the former minister on the condition that he shall appear before the investigating officer on July 15. In the meantime, he was protected from any coercive action till July 28.

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