HC directs TN govt to file details of inquiry commissions

The Madras High Court today took a serious view of various judicial inquiry commissions functioning for years together without yielding any result and directed the Tamil Nadu government to file details of such panels and expenditure incurred.

Justice S M Subramaniam wanted to know how many inquiry commissions were functioning in the state and what was their use if there was no result.

The court was hearing a plea from DMK chief M Karunanidhi challenging the questionnaire sent to him by the Justice R Reghupathy commission of inquiry, which was appointed by the AIADMK government to probe allegations of corruption in the construction of the Secretariat at Omandurar government estate by the then DMK government.

The judge raised several questions to Additional Advocate General Mani Shanker and asked him to file an affidavit with details stating how many inquiry commissions were functioning.

"The commissions are headed by retired high court judges and such commissions were functioning years together and without yielding any result and if this situation continues, the people will lose faith in all these commissions," the judge said.

Warning that the court will not be a mere spectator if the tax amount of the people is wasted in all these, the judge observed that the people will think that all these commissions are "only eye wash".

Seeking details of the staff, bungalows, government vehicles used and the expenditure incurred on all these commissions, the judge asked the AAG to give the details by afternoon.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan, who then appeared, sought some time to file the affidavit with the details.

He submitted that there was enough material to show that there was corruption in the new secretariat building construction.

The judge said in that case a DVAC probe should have been ordered and criminal proceedings initiated instead of an inquiry commission.

Justice Subramaniam pointed out that the commission proceedings were stayed by the court in 2015.

"In corruption-related matters, what is the need for appointment of inquiry commissions when there is DVAC," the judge said.

The Advocate General said he will file his reply with all the details following which the judge posted the matter for further hearing to August 1.