The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on November 10 directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to immediately register an FIR into alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries across Tamil Nadu. The Court also ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Agal Vilakku Publication, its proprietor Mohan and others involved.
A Division Bench of Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi passed the directions while hearing a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the Court's earlier orders on transparent book procurement.
Background
The controversy came into focus after writer Perumal Murugan raised concerns about alleged fraudulent book procurement for Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore. The controversy also involved books allegedly carrying fabricated content and falsely attributed authorship.
In June 2024, the High Court had directed the authorities to follow the Transparent Book Procurement Policy, 2024, maintain a functional procurement website and constitute a committee to examine allegations of irregularities.
The Bench expressed concern that several suspect books had entered public libraries despite the earlier directions. It specifically referred to a book falsely attributed to economist Jean Drèze, who had reportedly denounced it as fake, and works wrongly attributed to poet Subramania Bharati.
Explaining the importance of authenticity in public libraries, the Court observed:
"By stacking bogus books with false content and books by phantom authors, not only the statutory duty cast under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948 is being breached, the right to receive accurate and quality information is also infringed."
The Bench further clarified that AI-generated and plagiarised works could fall within the expression 'doubtful taste' under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules, 1950.
Questioning the absence of an FIR despite the ongoing DVAC enquiry, the Court stated:
"Crores of rupees has gone out of the public exchequer. It is too obvious that a crime of this humongous proportion could not have taken place but for the active involvement of government servants. Not only the BNS provisions but also the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act stand attracted."
The High Court directed the DVAC to register an FIR forthwith and ordered the immediate freezing of the bank accounts of Agal Vilakku Publication, its proprietor Mohan and others involved. The State Government was directed to initiate disciplinary action, including suspension of officials involved.
The Court also directed librarians to identify suspect books and make them unavailable to readers. The Director of Public Libraries must submit details of responsible officials, relevant procurement records and the total expenditure involved.
The matter was directed to be listed again on November 11, 2026, at 2:15 PM.
Case Details
Case Title: Ramasubbu v. K. Gopal & Another
Case Number: Cont.P(MD) No. 3763 of 2026
Judge: Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi
Decision Date: November 10, 2026
