NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday is reported to have stayed a Madras High Court order directing a CBI probe be launched against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami over allegations of irregularities in awarding of tenders.
A bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi reportedly stayed the order after TN’s Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) moved the apex court against the HC order.
The court also reportedly issued notice to the petitioner, R S Bharathi, DMK organising secretary, who had accused the CM of awarding highway contracts to companies owned by persons close to him. Bharathi had moved the HC seeking a DVAC case against the CM. The DVAC had submitted a preliminary report to the HC stating that no cognisable offence could be made against Palaniswami. The HC had rejected the report and ordered a CBI probe.