SC grants interim relief to DICCI in graft charges linked to TN scheme
New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim relief to the Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) in a case pending before the Madras High Court, which alleges corruption in the execution of the Tamil Nadu government's Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS).
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih stayed an interim order passed by the high court last week and directed that DICCI be impleaded as a party to the proceedings.
'Let the present petitioners (DICCI) be impleaded as respondents. Let the high court consider the application and pass an order after hearing all parties. Till such an order is passed, let this order be kept in abeyance,' the Supreme Court ordered.
The court further directed that the high court must hear DICCI before taking any further steps in the case.
The DICCI was not initially a party in the high court proceedings, which are next scheduled for hearing on May 21.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court also questioned the urgency with which the high court took up the matter during its summer vacation. 'What was the urgency that the court took this up on vacation?' CJI Gavai asked.
The case in question was initiated through a public interest litigation (PIL) by YouTuber Savukku Shankar, who alleged that the AABCS scheme was arbitrarily and illegally entrusted to DICCI.
He further claimed that DICCI leaders had links to Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and MLA K Selvaperunthagai, and that the scheme's benefits were diverted to those politically connected instead of the intended Dalit beneficiaries.
Shankar has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, alleging misappropriation and political favoritism. The PIL is being heard by a vacation bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan.
On May 14, the High Court had issued notice to the State and impleaded several government departments, including the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, the MSME Department, and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). The court had also directed the production of relevant documents.
On May 16, additional advocate general J Ravindran, appearing for the Municipal Administration Department, sought more time to furnish documents.
Both AAG Ravindran and Advocate General PS Raman denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the PIL was filed for publicity and that the CBI lacked jurisdiction in Tamil Nadu without court direction.
The matter before the high court has been adjourned to May 21.
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