MUMBAI: Saying that there was "no ground to interfere," the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed former Tamil Nadu minister K N Nehru's plea against an FIR in the alleged Rs 634 crore cash-for-job scam case.
Dismissing Nehru's petition, a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu said "there was no ground to interfere with the Madras High Court's February 20 judgment and October 26 order."
On October 26, the HC had dismissed Nehru's review petition challenging its earlier order, which directed DVAC to register a case based on information provided by ED (Enforcement Directorate) alleged Rs 634 crore cash-for-job scam.
The apex court - while refusing to entertain Nehru's plea and pass any order -- said the HC order directing registration of FIR does not call for interference under Article 136.
Nehru had challenged the direction before the apex court by contending that the ED's information was unverified and cannot form the basis of an FIR (First Information Report) and the HC had erred in directing DVAC to register the case against him even without conducting a preliminary inquiry.
The apex court, however, rejected all these contentions of Nehru and found no merit and refused to interfere with the HC order
The alleged Rs 634 crore cash-for-job scam relates to the irregularities in recruitment in Tamil Nadu Transport Department during Nehru's tenure as Transport Minister, in which Nehru is an accused.
According to the ED's inputs shared with state vigilance, huge cash transactions and disproportionate assets were allegedly linked to appointments made in transport corporations on payment of bribes.
Based on ED's communication, Madras HC on February 20 directed DVAC to register an FIR and proceed with the investigation in accordance with law, noting material disclosed amounted to cognizable offence.
Nehru filed the review petition against February 20 order, which was dismissed by the HC on October 26, forcing him to move the doors of the Supreme Court for relief.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld both the orders and dismissed his plea.
With the SC dismissal, DVAC will now proceed to register the FIR against Nehru and investigate the alleged scam involving Rs 634 crore cash-for-jobs in transport department as per law.
