The legal tussle over the investigation into irregularities surrounding the construction of the Omandur Government Estate Secretariat in Chennai, initiated during the DMK government led by the late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, has taken a new turn.
The construction of the new Secretariat, which took place between 2006 and 2010, faced scrutiny after the change in government in 2011, with Jayalalithaa assuming the role of Chief Minister. The new administration not only deemed the Secretariat non-functional and turned it into a hospital but also established a commission of inquiry, led by Justice Raghupathy, to delve into alleged irregularities during the construction process.
However, this move faced a setback when the Madras High Court dissolved the Justice Raghupathy Commission, directing the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department to register a case if evidence of wrongdoing surfaced from the commission’s findings.
Subsequently, during the tenure of the AIADMK government, an inquiry was ordered by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department. DMK president MK Stalin and Durai Murugan challenged this decision through legal petitions. The ongoing legal saga witnessed a fresh twist as the present DMK government, currently in power, decided to withdraw the appeal filed by the previous administration.
In a recent hearing, a bench of Justices Suresh Kumar and Kumaresh Babu dismissed a petition from former AIADMK MP Jayavardhan, who sought inclusion in the case. The government’s legal representative, Advocate General P S Raman, argued that a third party could not intervene at the last moment, especially after the government had decided to withdraw the appeal.
Senior advocate Wilson, representing Stalin and Duraimurugan, highlighted various irregularities reported during the previous regime, including allegations against the petitioner’s father, former minister Jayakumar, in the walkie-talkie purchase scam.
Justice Raghupathy’s stance on the government not accepting the commission’s report was noted, stating that its recommendations couldn’t be considered as evidence. Senior advocate Raghavachari, speaking for Jayavardhan, questioned the withdrawal of a case involving public interest, emphasizing the demand for inclusion in the case.
As the legal battle unfolds, the court has adjourned the hearing to February 6 for further arguments, ensuring that the complexity of the matter continues to unravel in the public eye.
(With inputs from etvbharat)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.