PIL seeks stay on govt order on action against corrupt

A PIL was filed in the Madras High Court seeking a stay on a Tamil Nadu government order preventing action against corrupt government officials without its prior permission.
Petitioner K K Ramesh submitted that the February 2 order stated that no one including Vigilance and Anti-Corruption department could initiate action against government officials in matters relating to corruption, without prior permission of the government.
Ramesh sought the court to stay the order as several criminal cases were pending against both former and the present ministers and officials.
Hence, they should be expeditiously dealt with so that public would repose faith in the government, he said.

The petition also sought a direction to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to issue another order that would prevent government advocates from appearing in defence of the corrupt officials.
Ramesh contended that the Criminal Procedure Code framed by the Britishers, meant to give immunity to the British officials, continued to be in force even now.
The petitioner sought the court's direction to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, Home Ministry and the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to amend the CRPC section 197 that provides immunity to officials and ensure that those accused were punished.
Justices K Mani Kumar and C T Selvam posted the matter to next week for hearing.