CBI probe against EPS in corruption case stayed by Supreme Court
New Delhi, Aug 04: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a Madras High Court order of a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against then Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in awarding contracts in the state highways department, news agency PTI reported
A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli asked the high court to decide the complaint against Palaniswami without being influenced by earlier observations or orders passed in this matter.
The high court, after taking note of the plea of DMK leader R S Bharathi against Palaniswami, had in October 2018 passed the order transferring the probe on his complaint of tender irregularities to CBI for "fair, reasonable and transparent probe".
Sasikala hits out at EPS, questions removal of O Panneerselvam
Palaniswami
moved
the
top
court
against
the
high
court
order
which
was
stayed.
Senior
advocate
Kapil
Sibal,
appearing
for
the
DMK
leader,
said
he
did
not
want
a
CBI
probe
and
would
rather
seek
an
impartial
investigation.
"Let the high court examine the (inquiry) report. Without going into the details of the matter, we request the high court to look into the reports submitted there and pass an appropriate order after examining the report...We set aside all the observations that will not come in the way of the fresh consideration of the matter," the bench said.
Bharathi had filed the petition in the high court accusing Palaniswami of misusing his official position to allot various road construction projects to companies owned by his relatives and others.
Palaniswami had contended the high court wrongly passed the order without issuing him a notice and providing him an opportunity to defend himself.
The DMK leader had sought a direction to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a case against the former chief minister. The DVAC had given a clean chit to Mr Palaniswami.