The Madras High Court on October 26, 2026, dismissed a review petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister K N Nehru challenging an earlier order directing the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a criminal case based on material shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed the plea in K N Nehru v. I S Inbadurai and Others. A detailed order was awaited.
Background
The proceedings originated from a petition filed by AIADMK leader I S Inbadurai concerning alleged irregularities in recruitment to the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. The allegations relate to a purported ₹634 crore cash-for-jobs scam involving recruitment to 2,538 government posts.
On February 20, 2026, the High Court directed the DVAC to register a case based on information shared by the ED. Nehru and the Tamil Nadu government subsequently sought a review of that order.
Nehru argued that the February order had been passed without hearing him, despite the allegations relating to his tenure as minister. His counsel contended that this violated the principles of natural justice, which require fairness in judicial proceedings.
The DVAC opposed the review, arguing that a proposed accused need not be heard before a court directs registration of an FIR. It also questioned whether Nehru could maintain a review petition against an order passed on another person's plea.
The State initially sought a review but later informed the Court that the DVAC had registered an FIR and that the government intended to withdraw its petition following the change in government.
After hearing the parties, the Division Bench dismissed Nehru's review petition. The dismissal leaves the February 20 direction in place.
However, it does not establish the allegations against Nehru as proven.
