SC declines to interfere with HC relief to ex-DMK Minister E.V. Velu in Highways scam case
The Supreme Court refused to overturn a High Court order that protected former DMK Minister E.V. Velu from coercive action in a corruption case. The state government argued the order was an improper grant of anticipatory bail, but the court maintained the protection was conditional on the minister's cooperation with investigators.
Why it matters
This case underscores the legal tension between state investigative agencies and judicial protections for political figures in high-profile corruption probes.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) declined to interfere with a Madras High Court order restraining the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) from taking any coercive action against former Tamil Nadu Public Works and Highways Minister E.V. Velu in connection with alleged irregularities in road projects executed during his tenure in the previous DMK government.
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 High Court’s July 9 interim order. The High Court had stayed the operation of a Look Out Circular (LoC) issued against Mr. Velu and restrained the DVAC from taking any coercive action against him until July 28, by when the investigating agency had been directed to file its counter affidavit in response to the former Minister’s petition seeking the quashing of the FIR registered on June 26, 2026.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in