Cases Against Former ADMK Ministers – PMLA Plea in Madras HC* *Petitioner*: R. Girirajan, DMK Rajya Sabha MP *Hearing*: Listed for Monday *Bench*: Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari, Justice G. Arulmurugan
*Cases Against Former ADMK Ministers – PMLA Plea in Madras HC*
*Petitioner*: R. Girirajan, DMK Rajya Sabha MP
*Hearing*: Listed for Monday
*Bench*: Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari, Justice G. Arulmurugan
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*Who are the cases against?*
Girirajan filed separate petitions against 9 people:
1. *S.P. Velumani* – Former Local Administration Minister
2. *P. Thangamani* – Former Electricity Minister
3. *C. Vijayabaskar* – Former Health Minister
4. *M.R. Vijayabaskar* – Former Transport Minister
5. *R. Kamaraj* – Former Food Minister
6. *K.C. Veeramani* – Former Commercial Taxes Minister
7. *K.P. Anbalagan* – Former Higher Education Minister
8. *Salem Ilangovan* – Relative of EPS, former CM & ADMK General Secretary
9. *Sathya* – Former ADMK MLA
*What does the petition say?*
**Person** **Allegation**
**S.P. Velumani** Irregularities in laying roads, procuring LED lights while minister. **Disproportionate assets case** already filed by DVAC.
**Other 8** **Disproportionate assets** – DVAC cases are under investigation.
*Main prayer*: DVAC has already registered FIRs and collected documents. Based on this, there is prima facie material for the *Enforcement Directorate to register cases under PMLA* – Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The court should direct ED to register cases and investigate the former ADMK ministers.
*Legal background – How PMLA works*
1. *DVAC case* = Predicate offence. If corruption/disproportionate assets are proved…
2. *ED case under PMLA* = Separate case for *”laundering” that corruption money* – converting it into assets, benami transactions.
3. *Difference*: DVAC punishes for taking bribe. ED punishes for laundering that bribe money + *attaches/confiscates property*.
*Current status – April 2026*
1. *DVAC already filed FIRs* – but charge sheets not filed yet, investigation is slow.
2. *ED has not taken up cases suo motu* – so Girirajan is asking court to direct ED.
3. *Monday HC hearing* – Court will likely issue notice to ED asking “why haven’t you registered PMLA cases?”
*Political context*
*TN Assembly Election is April 23, 2026*. This hearing is one week before polling. If ED registers cases, it can lead to *property attachment, even arrest*. This could impact the election.
*ADMK stand*: “Political vendetta during election time. DVAC case itself not proved. How can ED come in now?”
*DMK stand*: “Corruption money must be unearthed. ED should act as per law.”
*Likely outcome Monday*: Court may direct ED to *”examine and file a status report”*. Direct order to “register case” is less likely at first hearing.
