The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea filed by a man seeking a cash reward from the Central Bureau of Investigation for giving information regarding an illegal import of luxury cars. Justice AD Jagadish Chandira took note of the CBI’s submission that it did not have any scheme for the grant of a reward to informers. Though the petitioner argued that he had received such a reward…”

[27/04, 20:42] sekarreporter1: “The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea filed by a man seeking a cash reward from the Central Bureau of Investigation for giving information regarding an illegal import of luxury cars. Justice AD Jagadish Chandira took note of the CBI’s submission that it did not have any scheme for the grant of a reward to informers. Though the petitioner argued that he had received such a reward…”
https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/madras-high-court/madras-high-court-cbi-reward-information-luxury-car-import-dismissed-531947#:~:text=The%20Madras%20High,such%20a%20reward…
[27/04, 20:42] Meta AI: *Madras High Court Dismisses Plea for CBI Reward in Luxury Car Import Case*
*Judge*: Justice AD Jagadish Chandira
*Date*: Reported 27 April 2026

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*1. What Happened*

*Petitioner*: A man who gave information to CBI about illegal import of luxury cars
*Demand*: Cash reward from CBI for the tip-off
*CBI’s Stand*: _“We don’t have any scheme for granting rewards to informers”_

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*2. Court’s Findings*

1. *No Reward Scheme*: CBI categorically told court there is *no policy* to reward informers.
2. *No Legal Right*: Petitioner claimed he got reward earlier in another case. Court said past payment doesn’t create a legal right.
3. *Discretionary Only*: Even if scheme existed, reward is _ex-gratia_ – fully discretionary, not enforceable in court.
4. *Dismissed*: Since CBI has no scheme and no right exists, plea rejected.

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*3. Key Legal Points*
**Issue** **HC Ruling**
**Is CBI reward enforceable?** No. CBI confirmed it has no informer reward scheme
**Past reward = future right?** No. Previous payment doesn’t create entitlement
**Nature of reward** Ex-gratia, discretionary, not a matter of right
*Note*: This differs from the earlier Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy order you saw. That was a _former CBI officer_ claiming reward. This case is by a _private informer_. Both dismissed, but reasoning varies – here CBI denied having any scheme at all.

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*4. Background – Luxury Car Import Scam*

*Modus*: High-end cars imported by undervaluation + false declarations to evade 100%+ customs duty
*CBI Action*: 2019-2023 crackdown. Raids in Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi. Crores worth cars seized.

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*Bottom Line*: No reward from CBI unless there’s a specific scheme. Informers can’t go to court to demand money. CBI told Madras HC it has no such policy.

This is the second similar dismissal this week on CBI reward claims.