The Madras High Court on Tuesday wanted to know why a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe should not be ordered against Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on charges of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Justice G. Jayachandran raised the question during the hearing of a petition filed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha member R.S. Bharathi seeking a direction to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) sleuths to register a case against Mr. Panneerselvam.
Mr. Bharathi had accused the DVAC of inaction despite a specific complaint lodged about three months ago. He also claimed that a diary seized by Income Tax department from businessman Shekhar Reddy had reportedly disclosed his links with Mr. Panneerselvam.
To this, State Public Prosecutor C. Emilias reported that the diary was at present in the possession of CBI. Immediately, the judge remarked that the present complaint could also be proved by the CBI itself and asked the petitioner to serve the papers on a special public prosecutor for CBI.
Senior Counsel N.R. Elango, representing the petitioner, agreed to serve the papers on the CBI counsel and thereafter the case was adjourned to Monday at the request of Additional Advocate General C. Manishankar, also representing DVAC, who wanted time to go through the petition.
