SC sets aside HC order for CBI probe in graft case against Palaniswami

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a Madras high court order of a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against then Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in awarding contracts in the state highways department.

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli asked the high court to decide the complaint against Palaniswami without being influenced by earlier observations or orders passed in this matter.

The high court, after taking note of the plea of DMK leader R S Bharathi against Palaniswami, had in October 2018 passed the order transferring the probe on his complaint of tender irregularities to CBI for ”fair, reasonable and transparent probe”.

Palaniswami then moved the top court against the high court order which was stayed.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the DMK leader, said he did not want a CBI probe and would rather seek an impartial investigation.

”Let the high court examine the (inquiry) report. Without going into the details of the matter, we request the high court to look into the reports submitted there and pass an appropriate order after examining the report... We set aside all the observations that will not come in the way of the fresh consideration of the matter,” the bench said.

Bharathi had filed the petition in the high court accusing Palaniswami of misusing his official position to allot various road construction projects to companies owned by his relatives and others.

Palaniswami had contended that the high court wrongly passed the order without issuing him a notice and providing him an opportunity to defend himself.

The DMK leader had sought a direction to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a case against the former chief minister. The DVAC had given a clean chit to Palaniswami.