The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by YouTuber A Shankar, popularly known as Savukku Shankar, seeking a CBI investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds in the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS). Although the Court declined to involve the Central Bureau of Investigation, it instructed state authorities to scrutinize the list of contract awardees and ensure only those who meet the criteria are retained as beneficiaries under the scheme.
The bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan issued this directive while hearing the writ petition during the vacation court session in May. The Court took note of an assurance given by the President of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) that all genuine beneficiaries identified under the scheme would be part of Gen Green Logistics and receive their rightful share and benefits.
"The outcome of the said exercise will be informed in writing to the petitioner. We are constrained to issue such a direction because the petitioner has alleged that even advocates have been included in the list of beneficiaries," the bench stated.
The Court made it clear that persons who do not fulfill the required eligibility criteria must be removed from the beneficiary list. Further, it emphasized that neither Mr. Ravikumar Nara nor any other director who is not a sanitary worker shall hold shares in the GMC Group management companies. Only sanitation workers who are awarded contracts under the scheme should be shareholders in Gen Green Logistics, which is currently operating as GMC.
"DICCI will only act as a mentor and support each contractor. It will not exceed the role assigned in the tender notification. The profits from this project must ultimately benefit the sanitation workers," the Court added.
Shankar’s petition alleged significant irregularities in the implementation of the AABCS and the NAMASTE schemes. He claimed that funds were diverted to ineligible individuals, including political associates and members of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) wing of the Congress Party, allegedly connected to TNCC President Selvaperungathai. Shankar accused DICCI, a private entity, of being unlawfully entrusted with the scheme's implementation, in violation of the Government Order and policy guidelines.
He further claimed that Gen Green Logistics entered into leasing agreements with the beneficiaries selected by DICCI and was receiving direct payments from the government, which amounted to the misuse of public funds. According to Shankar, these actions undermined the goal of the scheme, which was designed to uplift SC entrepreneurs through government-backed financial assistance.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General J Ravindran challenged Shankar’s intentions, pointing to his earlier contempt of court conviction. Ravindran questioned the urgency of the petition and argued that the petitioner had not disclosed the source of his information regarding the alleged scam. He also claimed the plea may have stemmed from personal animosity, referencing the vandalism of Shankar’s house after he published a related article.
Despite these arguments, the Court clarified that the plea was not being considered based on the petitioner’s background but because it raised serious concerns about corruption in a government scheme meant for the welfare of Dalits.
"This issue pertains to a public scheme aimed at Dalit welfare, and hence requires urgent attention," the Court observed.
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While rejecting the request for a CBI probe, the Court has ensured that authorities revisit and verify the list of beneficiaries to uphold the principles of justice and proper implementation of the welfare scheme. It has ordered that the findings of this verification be communicated to the petitioner in writing.
The Court concluded the matter while noting that the formal order is awaited.
Case Title: A Shankar @ Savukku Shankar v. The Director, CBI
Case No.: WP 18178 of 2025
