Did the Tamil Nadu lawyers' body send a letter to a judge regarding bribery allegations?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chennai, Feb 16 (NationPress) A significant controversy has unfolded at the Madras High Court, as the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) from Tirunelveli has claimed that its name was improperly used in a fabricated complaint. This complaint alleges that a senior advocate collected Rs 50 lakh to bribe a sitting judge. In a formal communication to the High Court’s Registrar General, S. Alli, AILAJ State Coordinator U. Adhiyaman strongly refuted any claims of correspondence with Justice M. Nirmal Kumar concerning the supposed bribery.
The association stated that it learned about the alleged letter through newspaper articles dated February 15, 2026. “We have never dispatched any such letter to Justice Nirmal Kumar or any other authority. Our organization is not associated with the alleged complaint in any capacity,” Adhiyaman emphasized.
He also pointed out that AILAJ's Tamil Nadu State chapter is located in Tirunelveli, not at Thambu Chetty Street in Chennai, as indicated in the fraudulent letterhead. Furthermore, the association clarified that it does not have a position titled “Secretary,” as referenced in the counterfeit document, and operates solely through State Coordinators.
Describing it as a “malicious attempt to tarnish and defame” the organization, AILAJ announced plans to file a separate police complaint regarding the misuse of its name and urged the Registrar General to take suitable action.
The controversy arose when Justice Nirmal Kumar received a letter dated January 12, 2026, purportedly from AILAJ, claiming that a senior advocate had collected Rs 50 lakh from two litigants, allegedly to secure favorable judgments in two related cases. The letter even requested the judge to either issue appropriate orders or take action on the matter.
Copies of the letter were sent to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice and the CBI headquarters in New Delhi.
The Ministry forwarded the complaint to the High Court Registry, which subsequently presented it to Justice Kumar.
The senior advocate involved has denied the accusations and expressed readiness to assist with any investigation.
Additionally, the CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor K. Srinivasan has called for strict measures against those responsible for the false representation.
As a result, Justice Kumar has recused himself from the cases and ordered a vigilance inquiry into the situation.