AIADMK Initiates Contempt Proceedings Against DVAC in Cash-for-Jobs Controversy

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) escalated its pursuit of an alleged "cash-for-jobs" scam in the ruling DMK government's Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department on Thursday by moving to initiate contempt proceedings against the state's Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP and Secretary of the party's Advocate Wing, I.S. Inbadurai, filed a contempt petition in the Madras High Court against the DVAC Director (in-charge) A.T. Durai Kumar. The move accuses the anti-corruption body of willful disobedience of the court's February 20, 2026, order directing it to forthwith register a criminal case and conduct an expeditious investigation based on materials shared by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Counsel for the AIADMK mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice, seeking permission to proceed with the contempt plea due to the agency's alleged failure to comply.

The underlying controversy stems from ED allegations of large-scale bribery in recruitments and transfers within the department headed by DMK Minister K.N. Nehru. The ED had forwarded a detailed dossier—over 200 pages in some accounts—detailing purported bribe amounts ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 35 lakh per post across hundreds of appointments, including for assistant engineers, junior engineers, and town planning officers. The Madras High Court, in its February 20 directive, found the ED's voluminous evidence sufficient to warrant immediate FIR registration under relevant laws, rejecting pleas that sought to quash or delay action.

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This development intensifies political friction in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, with the opposition AIADMK accusing the DMK administration of shielding its minister and delaying justice. Minister Nehru has previously dismissed the claims, asserting that all recruitments followed legal procedures, including written examinations. The DVAC has yet to publicly respond to the contempt filing or confirm any registration of the case as ordered.

The contempt petition underscores the AIADMK's strategy to leverage judicial oversight in highlighting alleged corruption in the current regime. Legal experts note that non-compliance with High Court directives in such matters can lead to serious repercussions for officials involved. The court is expected to hear the plea soon, potentially directing further action or explanations from the DVAC. This case adds to a series of corruption-related controversies in the state, drawing attention to accountability in public recruitment processes.

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