Overview
- A division bench on February 20 directed the state anti‑corruption unit to register a case forthwith based on materials the Enforcement Directorate shared on October 27, 2025 under Section 66(2) of the PMLA.
- The judges faulted the state for delay, citing the 14‑day cap for preliminary inquiry under BNSS Section 173 and describing the vigilance exercise as a “mini‑trial.”
- ED allegations cover recruitment to 2,538 MAWS posts with bribes reportedly between ₹25 lakh and ₹35 lakh per post, alongside tender kickbacks calibrated at roughly 7.5%–10% of contract value.
- The ED claims a money‑laundering trail of about ₹365.87 crore tied to transfers, postings and tenders, supported by digital evidence such as WhatsApp chats, spreadsheets and financial records.
- Nehru said he will contest the case legally as the DMK rejected political motives, while the AIADMK and BJP demanded stronger action, with the BJP seeking a CBI probe; the order proceeded on MP I. S. Inbadurai’s plea as a separate PIL was dismissed.