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The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court's interim order that stayed any coercive steps against former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader EV Velu in a corruption case relating to alleged irregularities in the execution of road infrastructure projects.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the High Court's order while observing that the High Court has already directed Velu to join the investigation. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the government, argued that the interim order had effectively granted anticipatory bail to Velu in proceedings where no such relief had been sought. Opposing the plea, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Velu, said he was being prosecuted after the change of power in Tamil Nadu. On July 9, the High Court had stayed a look-out circular against Velu on the condition that he shall appear before the investigating officer on July 15 and cooperate with the probe while protecting him from any coercive action till July 28. The High Court had passed the interim order on Velu's petition challenging the look-out circular issued against him by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Tamil Nadu. The case stems from a corruption probe launched by the DVAC) against former Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Velu, alleging irregularities in the implementation of road infrastructure projects while he was in office. (ANI)
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