Madras High Court seeks five-year record of DVAC inspections and raids

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to submit details of surprise inspections and raids carried out in Tamil Nadu during the past five years. Justice B. Pugalendhi directed the agency to state how much money was recovered during the operations, how many prosecutions followed and the status of those cases.

The court also sought details of instances in which disciplinary action was recommended instead of prosecution, together with the status of those proceedings. The matter was posted for hearing on October 1. The direction was issued while the court considered a wider question about cash held by government employees while on duty.

It asked the government to give its views on uniform guidelines or a government order prescribing a maximum amount. The court said it appeared that no common guideline or order applied to all government employees in the State. It therefore considered the question one requiring examination at government level, including the rules operating in individual departments.

The court observed that most payments could now be made digitally and said the need for employees to carry substantial cash to offices should be addressed. A suitable threshold, it said, could help curb corruption in government offices. At the same time, the court said a prescribed limit could protect employees from being unnecessarily harassed.

It said the government’s objective of eliminating corruption could be strengthened by a clear guideline supporting corruption-free administration. The supplied material does not state the government’s position on a uniform limit or provide figures from the DVAC’s inspections. The court’s order seeks information and views before any further decision on the issue.