A woman advocate affiliated with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has approached the Madras High Court alleging large-scale irregularities and bribery in the appointment of Government Pleaders across Tamil Nadu. The petitioner has alleged that party functionaries, including TVK ministers, accepted bribes ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹30 lakh in exchange for appointments and has sought a court-monitored inquiry into the recruitment process, as reported in Hindu Tamil.
The petition was filed by M. Gnanasoundari, a TVK Advocates’ Wing functionary from Villupuram district.
Alleges Bribes In Government Pleader Appointments
According to the petition, the Tamil Nadu Government issued a notification on 5 June inviting applications for the appointment of Government Pleaders in courts across the state.
Gnanasoundari stated that she belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and had applied for the post as a practising advocate and a member of the TVK.
She said the last date for submitting applications was 29 June. However, despite the application window remaining open until the evening, a list purportedly containing the names of selected Government Pleaders began circulating on social media earlier that afternoon.
The petitioner claimed that her name was absent from the circulated list, following which she approached the TVK district secretary seeking an explanation.
Ministers, Party Functionaries Accepted Bribes, Petition Alleges
According to the petition, inquiries made thereafter allegedly revealed that TVK ministers and other party functionaries had accepted bribes ranging between ₹5 lakh and ₹30 lakh to facilitate appointments as Government Pleaders.
The petitioner alleged that despite Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay publicly taking a strong stand against corruption, advocates like her who had worked for the party had been sidelined because of the alleged corrupt practices.
Seeks Inquiry, Stay On Appointments
In her plea, Gnanasoundari has sought a direction from the High Court to order an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the appointment of Government Pleaders across Tamil Nadu and to initiate action against those found responsible.
She has also requested the court to direct the Tamil Nadu Government to appoint only eligible and deserving candidates to the posts.
Additionally, the petitioner has sought her own appointment as a Government Pleader in Villuppuram district.
Pending disposal of the case, she has requested the High Court to stay both the Government Pleader appointments and the operation of the notification issued for the recruitment process.
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