The Supreme Court on Friday, November 29, stayed the suo motu revision initiated by the Madras High Court in the disproportionate assets case involving expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS). A bench comprising Justices Hrishkesh Roy and SVN Bhatti passed the order while hearing Panneerselvam's appeal challenging the High Court order. The bench has sought the response of the Tamil Nadu police.
The case originates from a 2006 complaint under the Prevention of Corruption Act, alleging that Panneerselvam accumulated wealth during his tenure as AIADMK revenue minister between 2001 and 2006. In 2012, a Sivaganga court acquitted him of these charges.
Madras High Court Justice Anand Venkatesh had previously criticized the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), observing a pattern of filing cases against opposition leaders and subsequently reopening and closing investigations when political power shifts. Justice Venkatesh said that he took up the case suo moto because the courts look differently at ordinary people, and at MPs, MLAs, and ministers.
Justice Venkatesh had initiated suo moto revisions not only against Panneerselvam but also against current DMK ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu, and former AIADMK minister B Valarmathi.