SC refuses to interfere with HC’s relief to former DMK minister EV Velu in highway scam case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) refused to interfere with the Madras High Court’s order restraining the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) from taking any enforcement action against former Tamil Nadu Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu in connection with alleged irregularities in road projects carried out during his tenure in the previous DMK.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing an appeal filed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led state government challenging the Supreme Court’s July 9 interim order. The High Court stayed the Look Out Circular (LoC) issued against Mr. Velu and restrained the DVAC from taking any enforcement action against him till July 28, when the investigating agency was directed to file a counter-affidavit in response to the former minister’s petition seeking quashing of the FIR registered on June 26, 2026.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, said the Supreme Court had passed an “apparently wrong order” and argued that the interim protection was in fact tantamount to granting anticipatory bail, even though no such relief had been sought by the former minister.

“The order was passed in a quashing petition which does not contain any prayer for anticipatory bail… There is a blanket embargo against any enforcement action,” he added.

Justice Mehta, however, disagreed with the proposal, noting that the High Court had not granted any “blanket embargo”. He pointed out that the interim protection was conditional upon Mr. Velu appearing before the investigating officer on July 15, 2026 in accordance with the summons issued to him.

“What do you mean by blanket embargo? He was ordered to appear for the investigation. We know from the records that he was summoned on July 15,” the judge noted.

“Cooperate with the probe”

Mr. Singhvi then urged the Bench to direct Mr. Velu to fully cooperate with the probe. He also pointed out that the former minister traveled to Singapore immediately after learning of the searches being conducted by DVAC.

Refusing to interfere with the High Court’s order, the Bench dismissed the appeal and directed Mr. Velu to cooperate with the investigation.

“Dismissed. The respondent shall extend all cooperation in the investigation. We have not examined the matter on its merits,” the Bench ordered.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr. Vela, said the prosecution was politically motivated and was initiated only after the change of government in Tamil Nadu.

“This is just the beginning. I was a former minister. The moment the government changes… it’s the first case. Now more will come,” he added.

But Judge Vikram Nath was quick to point out that similar proceedings had been initiated under the previous government. “You already did the same thing. What’s wrong with that?” he remarked.

Mr. Singhvi then urged the bench to order Mr. Velu to surrender his passport to facilitate the investigation. However, the Bench refused to issue any such direction, saying that the State may seek appropriate relief from the competent court.

“The Tamil Nadu government will have the option to apply to the appropriate court to impound the passport. Go and apply. The courts have jurisdiction,” the Bench said.

The FIR against Mr. Velu arose out of a complaint filed on April 20, 2022 by Jayaram Venkatesan, director of the anti-corruption organization Arappor Iyakkam. The complaint sought action not only against the then-roads minister, but also against several government officials who allegedly aided and abetted the crimes, as well as private contractors who received public funds for work that was allegedly never done.

According to the complaint, the state highways department had allocated more than ₹5,000 crore under its flagship Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Program (CRIDP), but the funds were allegedly marred by widespread corruption and mismanagement. Mr. Venkatesan alleged that there were irregularities across the state and cited several cases to support his complaint.

Acting on the complaint, the DVAC registered an FIR against Mr. Velu, nine former officials of the Highways Department, a private contractor and other unidentified public servants and private individuals under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Indian Penal Code.

Granting interim protection on July 9, the High Court directed Mr. Vela to appear before the investigating officer on July 15, 2026. The court also took note of his claim that he was in Singapore for medical treatment and was to return to India on July 12.

Published – 15 Jul 2026 23:20 IST