DVAC competent authority to probe graft charges: HC

The Madras High Court today held that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption was the competent authority to investigate graft charges and directed it to probe allegations of irregularities against Deputy Mayor of Tirunelveli Corporation.
Allowing a petition seeking a DVAC probe into the charges against Deputy Mayor Jagananthan, Justice S Nagamuthu rejected Tamil Nadu Government's stand that an official-level inquiry was already underway and there was no need for a DVAC probe.
"If there is corruption charge against an official, the competent authority to investigate the charge is Vigilance and Anti Corruption Police," the Judge said.
He rejected the submission of Government counsel Mayil Vahana Rajendran that a Chief Engineer in the Municipal Administration department had been appointed on April 13 last as inquiry officer to look into the charges against the Deputy Mayor and hence there was no need for a DVAC probe.

The Judge said, "If there is prima facie case after the initial investigation, the (DVAC) police could register a case and take appropriate action as per law. This is what the Supreme Court had ordered in several cases. Hence, the Anti-Corruption police should hold initial investigation and register a case if there was prima facie case."
Petitioner N.Sankarapandi's counsel submitted that any corruption charge should be investigated only by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption police.

He alleged that Jaganathan was discharging the duties of the Mayor as the post was lying vacant. "He misused his power and floated tender for laying roads which were in good condition and awarded the contract to one of his relatives.

In the meanwhile as the notification for the election for the Mayor post had been announced, the road works could not be undertaken and the contract order was stopped.
Petitioner said he had lodged a complaint with the DVAC police regarding the irregularities on December 28 last but no action had been taken so far, he said.