Overview

• Justice N. Anand Venkatesh said corruption probes involving Ministers, legislators and IAS officers must proceed swiftly to maintain public confidence.
• The court termed the DVAC's conduct as hovering around contumacious after noting failure to start trial in a 2021 case tied to former minister S. P. Velumani's 2014–2018 tenure.
• DVAC told the court it will translate all vernacular records into English within four weeks and then seek Central sanction to prosecute two IAS officers.
• The judge highlighted that DVAC missed an April 2024 charge-sheet deadline and did not even seek an extension, with no substantial progress shown since.
• The agency must report progress at the next hearing on November 10 and explain why officials should not face punishment for non-compliance.