New Bench to hear DMK’s secretariat case today

When the division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad commenced their sitting in the afternoon on Thursday, senior counsel P Wilson made a mention of about the case.

Noting that the second bench led by Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh, which granted status quo on the probe initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against Stalin, said since the bench was not hearing the case anymore, the case ought to come before them as it is the portfolio bench.

While the bench sought to know about the hurry, Wilson pointed out that the status quo expires on Friday there are ample chances that DVAC would register a FIR against Stalin.

The counsel submitted to the bench that despite them withdrawing their plea against Justice Regupathi Commission formed to probe the alleged irregularities in construction of a new secretariat building in Omandur Government Estate, the single judge had offered directions.

The judge had directed the defunct panel following Justice Reghupathi’s resignation, to hand over the records to the state, which on scrutiny finds prima facie case shall institute criminal prosecution.

But the DMK had challenged the government move by holding that the scrutiny never transpired and the papers were straightaway handed over to the DVAC.