New Delhi, Jul 15 The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court's order directing the prosecution not to take any coercive steps till July 28 against former Tamil Nadu minister E V Velu in a corruption case.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the high court's July 9 order.
The high court had also stayed a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against Velu in connection with an FIR lodged for alleged irregularities in the award of contracts for laying roads during the previous DMK regime.
It had said the LOC was stayed on a condition that Velu would appear before the investigating officer on July 15.
The high court had directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption not to take any coercive steps against Velu till July 28. It had posted the matter for hearing on July 28.
The state government challenged the high court's order before the apex court.
On Wednesday, the top court observed that the high court has already asked Velu to join the probe.
The high court had passed the order on Velu's plea seeking cancellation of the LOC issued against him in connection with the case.
Velu's counsel had argued in the high court that a complaint was filed in 2022 alleging irregularities in the award of contract for laying roads when Velu was the Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports Minister.
The counsel had argued that no action was taken against him for last four years and after the change of government in the state, the FIR was registered in 2026.
