Madras HC judge calls Tamil Nadu DVAC ‘chameleon’ during OPS hearing
Chennai (IANS). Madras High Court judge Justice Anand Venkatesh said, “The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) functions like a chameleon and as per the colors of the ruling dispensation.”
The judge made this comment in open court when he was hearing the case of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. He was hearing the disproportionate assets case against Panneerselvam (OPS).
Significantly, Justice Anand Venkatesh heard the revision petition in the disproportionate assets case.
The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the revision petition as the OPS was acquitted in the case by the trial court in 2012.
Justice Anand Venkatesh said there was a pattern in the three revision petitions filed by him against sitting ministers and the pattern started from this case. He also observed that the DVAC was acting like a chameleon and the courts were also failing in their duties.
He said that DVAC used to register cases against opposition leaders and when the same opposition comes to power, DVAC closes the file by re-opening the investigation. This was a practice that was unheard of in the criminal justice system.
Justice Anand Venkatesh also said that the courts are looking at the common people and MPs, MLAs, ministers from a different perspective. This is a shame on the criminal justice system.
He said that this is the reason why he took suo motu cognizance of this case which was closed a decade ago. The court also directed the Madras High Court registry to issue notice to the accused, including OPS, and said the revision petition would be heard on September 27.
