SP Velumani Tender Irregularities Case: PMO Clears Prosecution of Two IAS Officers; Madras High Court Informed

Coimbatore: The Prime Minister's Office has accorded sanction to prosecute two IAS officers in connection with the alleged ₹98.25-crore tender irregularities involving the Chennai and Coimbatore municipal corporations, a development brought to the attention of the Madras High Court during the hearing of the case.

The officers facing prosecution are K.S. Kandasamy, former Deputy Commissioner (Works) of the Greater Chennai Corporation, and K. Vijaya Karthikeyan, former Commissioner of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the award of civic work contracts during the tenure of former AIADMK Minister S.P. Velumani, who held the Municipal Administration and Water Supply portfolio between 2014 and 2018. Investigators had alleged that contracts worth ₹98.25 crore were awarded favouring companies associated with the minister's relatives and associates.

The matter was heard by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh in connection with a contempt petition filed by anti-corruption organisation Arappor Iyakkam, which had approached the court alleging that its earlier directions in the case had not been complied with.

During an earlier hearing, the court had questioned the delay in securing prosecution sanction for the two officers and sought an explanation from the Union Government. Subsequently, Sushil Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, appeared before the court and attributed the delay to the extensive volume of documents that required detailed examination. He assured the court that the matter would be accorded top priority and the process completed within two months.

Reacting to the prolonged delay, Justice Anand Venkatesh had made strong oral observations on the functioning of the criminal justice system, remarking that legal proceedings moved swiftly when poor people were involved, whereas cases concerning influential persons required repeated intervention.

"Classic case of how criminal law works in this country. See how much effort has been put in by so many people. Things move fast for poor people. But for influential people, we have to push and push, and ultimately we are here," the judge had observed, according to LiveLaw.

At the latest hearing, the High Court was informed that the PMO had granted the requisite sanction to prosecute both IAS officers. Taking note of the development, the court decided to continue monitoring the progress of the investigation and subsequent action by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

The matter has been adjourned to December 2 for further hearing.