SC dismisses Tamil Nadu government's plea against ex-DMK Minister EV Velu

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court's interim order protecting former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader EV Velu from coercive action in an alleged multi-crore corruption case pertaining to irregularities in the execution of road infrastructure projects.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that the high court had already directed Velu to join the investigation.

Appearing on behalf of the state government, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that a blanket embargo on arrest was ordered by the high court in a quashing case even in absence of a prayer for it. He added that SC had repeatedly held that petitions seeking quashing of criminal proceedings should not be used as a substitute for anticipatory bail.


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Appearing for Velu, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi countered the submission and said Velu was being prosecuted following change of power in TN. "Now this is the start. I am an ex-minister; the moment government changes, FIRs are filed. More will come."