Overview
- The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal and declined to disturb the Madras High Court’s interim order that stayed a Look Out Circular and barred coercive steps against E.V. Velu.
- The Madras High Court had granted interim protection on July 9 on the condition that Velu appear before investigators on July 15 and the agency file its counter affidavit by July 28.
- Velu complied with the court’s direction and appeared for questioning before the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on July 15, when investigators began examining seized documents and questioning him.
- The FIR, registered by the DVAC in late June following a 2022 complaint by Arappor Iyakkam, alleges roughly Rs 3.23 crore was fraudulently claimed for a Karur road contract that was not executed and lists 11 accused; raids at about 20 locations on June 25 produced documents and an alleged cash recovery that Velu denies.
- Next steps include the DVAC filing its counter affidavit by the July 28 high court deadline and continued evidence review that will determine whether formal charges proceed or the State pursues measures such as passport restrictions in the appropriate court.