Today, On 19th May, In the Dalit welfare scheme case, Supreme Court directs Madras High Court to hear Savukku Shankar’s PIL. He alleges the scheme was handed to DICCI, linked to Tamil Nadu Congress chief, and seeks CBI probe.
The Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) received interim relief from the Supreme Court on Monday regarding a case filed in the Madras High Court, which accused DICCI of corruption in the execution of a Tamil Nadu welfare scheme aimed at uplifting sanitation workers and the Dalit community.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih has stayed an interim order issued by the High Court last week concerning the implementation of the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS).
The Court has also directed the High Court to consider DICCI’s input before making a decision on the matter. Importantly, DICCI is not currently a party to the case pending in the High Court, which is scheduled for a hearing on May 21, Wednesday.
Also Read: Supreme Court Orders Consolidation of Multiple FIRs Against YouTuber Savukku Shankar
The Supreme Court stated today,
“Let the present petitioners (DICCI) be impleaded as respondents. Let High Court consider the application and let an order be passed after hearing all parties. Till such an order is passed, let the impugned order be kept in abeyance,”
During the hearing of DICCI’s plea, the Bench raised questions about the urgency that prompted the Madras High Court to address the matter during its ongoing summer vacation.
Chief Justice B.R. Gavai remarked,
“What was the urgency that the Court took this up on vacation?”
The case in the Madras High Court was initiated by YouTuber Savukku Shankar, who alleged that the implementation of the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS) was entrusted to DICCI in an arbitrary and illegal manner.
In his public interest litigation (PIL) petition, Shankar claimed that those managing DICCI have connections to Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President, MLA K Selvaperunthagai. He argued that as a result, the benefits of the scheme were diverted to individuals affiliated with the Congress, rather than reaching the intended beneficiaries, which he characterized as defrauding poor Dalits.
Shankar is seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the situation.
The PIL was heard by a Vacation Bench of the High Court, consisting of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan, on two occasions.
On May 14, the Bench requested a response from the State and also included the State’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, the MSME Department, and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) in the proceedings.
The Court called for the relevant files related to the project to be produced.
On May 16, the Municipal Administration Department, represented by Additional Advocate General J. Ravindran, requested additional time to submit further documents.
Both the AAG and the State’s counsel, Advocate General P.S. Raman, asserted that there was no corruption in the implementation of AABCS, labeling Shankar’s plea as an attempt for publicity.
AG Raman also emphasized that the CBI lacks jurisdiction to investigate cases in Tamil Nadu unless ordered by the Court.
The Court granted the State authorities additional time as requested and adjourned the case until May 21.
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