Quick Read
- Madras High Court ordered the DVAC to register a criminal case against Tamil Nadu Minister K. N. Nehru.
- The case involves an alleged “cash-for-jobs” scam in his Municipal Administration department, with bribes up to ₹35 lakh per post.
- The court acted on material provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), rejecting state delays in registering an FIR.
- DMK alleges political vendetta by BJP and AIADMK, asserting Nehru will fight the charges legally.
- The directive comes weeks before crucial Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, escalating political tensions.
CHENNAI (Azat TV) – The Madras High Court on Friday directed Tamil Nadu’s anti-corruption agency, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), to immediately register a criminal case against Minister K. N. Nehru, a senior politician holding the Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply portfolio. The directive stems from an alleged “cash-for-jobs” scam, intensifying political tensions in the state just weeks before crucial assembly elections.
The court’s order came after reviewing material shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which indicated a prima facie commission of cognizable offenses related to irregularities in recruitment within Nehru’s department. The case involves allegations of large-scale bribery in appointments to around 2,538 posts, including Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers, and Town Planning Officers, with reported bribes ranging from ₹25 lakh to ₹35 lakh per position.
Madras High Court Mandates Immediate Action
The division bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan issued the order on February 20, 2026, rejecting the state’s attempt to delay proceedings with ongoing preliminary inquiries. The court emphasized that when detailed source information from a statutory agency discloses cognizable offenses, the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) is mandatory under established Supreme Court law. Nearly three and a half months had elapsed since the ED forwarded 232 pages of documents, digital records, and purported selection lists to the state police on October 27, 2025, under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, without a case being registered.
The bench observed that delays in registering and investigating such serious allegations of corruption, especially those affecting thousands of candidates, could lead to the destruction of evidence and erode public confidence. While dismissing one public interest litigation due to concerns about the petitioner’s bona fides, the court proceeded with a criminal writ petition filed by AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP I.S. Inbadurai, stressing that the allegations were backed by material from a statutory investigating agency, not merely political assertions.
DMK Alleges Political Vendetta Ahead of Tamil Nadu Polls
In response to the court’s directive, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has vehemently defended Minister Nehru, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a “political vendetta” at the behest of AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami. DMK organising secretary R. S. Bharathi, speaking at a press conference in Chennai, asserted that the case was driven by “political jealousy” over Nehru’s extensive election-related work. Nehru was recently appointed as the party in charge of 41 constituencies for the upcoming assembly elections, scheduled for March-April.
Bharathi stated that Nehru would not be intimidated and would “bounce back stronger like a ping-pong ball.” He also highlighted that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had already ordered a detailed inquiry into the ED’s initial communication, without considering Nehru’s seniority. The DMK leader recalled that Nehru had successfully fought and won several cases filed against him during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, affirming the party’s readiness to confront this new legal challenge.
Allegations and Broader Implications for Tamil Nadu Politics
The Enforcement Directorate’s material, which led to the court’s order, alleged a systematic recruitment racket within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. Searches conducted in a separate probe reportedly yielded predetermined selection lists, suggesting a pre-planned system of appointments based on bribes. Minister K. N. Nehru has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that they are politically motivated and affirming his intent to contest the case legally.
The controversy has drawn sharp political reactions, with actor-politician Vijay demanding Nehru’s resignation and urging Chief Minister Stalin to remove him from the cabinet if he fails to step down. As the DVAC prepares to register the case and initiate a detailed, expeditious investigation, the developments are set to significantly impact the political discourse in Tamil Nadu, particularly with the state’s assembly elections looming. The DMK, aiming for a second consecutive term, faces a challenge from a united opposition including the BJP, AIADMK, and AMMK.
The Madras High Court’s decisive action to mandate criminal proceedings against a sitting minister, particularly so close to state elections, signals a significant judicial intervention that could reshape the political landscape and intensify scrutiny on governance and corruption allegations in Tamil Nadu.