TN Minister K.N. Nehru moves Madras HC to review FIR order in bribery case
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu Minister K.N. Nehru has moved the Madras High Court challenging a February order directing the DVAC to register an FIR over alleged bribery in MAWS Department appointments — arguing he was never given a fair hearing. The court declined an interim stay but has scheduled a detailed hearing for late June.
Key Takeaways
Nehru , Tamil Nadu's Minister for Municipal Administration, has filed a review petition in the Madras High Court against a 20 February FIR directive.
The original order directed the DVAC to register a case based on Enforcement Directorate materials indicating prima facie bribery in MAWS Department appointments.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued the order was passed without giving Nehru a chance to be heard.
The court declined to grant an interim stay, noting the February order did not explicitly mandate an FIR against Nehru personally.
The matter has been adjourned to the last week of June 2025 , after the court's summer vacation.
Inbadurai , who filed a contempt petition over non-compliance, confirmed his plea would not be pursued during the vacation period.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply, K.N. Nehru, has moved the Madras High Court seeking a review of its earlier directive ordering the registration of an FIR in connection with alleged bribery in appointments within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department. The development comes after the court's 20 February order directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a case based on materials shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which reportedly indicated prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.
What the Review Petition Argues
Appearing for the minister, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued before a division bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that the February order had been passed without granting Nehru an opportunity to be heard. Rohatgi submitted that the minister had been
Point of View
But it also risks being read as a delaying tactic in a case where the Madras High Court has already criticised the state for foot-dragging. The court's own admission that it could not immediately confirm whether Nehru had been put on notice is a significant concession that could shape the June hearing. Notably, the state's explanation for the FIR delay — that it was waiting to file a review — means the government's own inaction is now part of the legal record. With the ED's findings still on the table and a contempt petition in the wings, the minister's legal battle is far from over.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has K.N. Nehru moved the Madras High Court?
Tamil Nadu Minister K.N. Nehru has filed a review petition in the Madras High Court challenging its 20 February order that directed the DVAC to register an FIR over alleged bribery in appointments within the MAWS Department. His counsel argues the order was passed without giving him a fair opportunity to be heard.
What was the Madras High Court's original February 20 order about?
The 20 February order directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register a case based on materials provided by the Enforcement Directorate, which reportedly showed prima facie evidence of bribery in appointments within the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
Did the Madras High Court grant a stay on the FIR order?
No. The court declined to grant an interim stay, observing that the February order did not explicitly mandate the registration of an FIR against K.N. Nehru personally. The matter has been adjourned to the last week of June 2025 for a detailed hearing.
What is the contempt petition filed by MP I.S. Inbadurai about?
Rajya Sabha MP I.S. Inbadurai filed a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the Madras High Court's earlier directive to register an FIR. His counsel confirmed in court that the contempt plea would not be pursued during the vacation period.
Why has the FIR not been registered yet?
The Tamil Nadu state government informed the Madras High Court that the delay in registering the FIR was due to its decision to file a review petition, which is now under consideration. The court had earlier criticised the state for delays in acting on the Enforcement Directorate's findings.
