Madurai bench of Madras HC declines more time for I-T dept to submit papers

Madurai: The Madurai bench of the Madras High court on Monday refused to grant two weeks time to the Income Tax (I-T) department to submit incriminating documents allegedly containing the names of government officers and other public servants, which were seized during I-T raids at the premises of ‘Gutkha’ manufacturers in Chennai recently.

A Madurai trade unionist K. Kathireasn filed a petition before a division bench comprising Justices K. Sasidharan and G.R. Swaminathan challenging the appointment of T.K. Rajendran as the DGP, on the ground that his name allegedly figured in a list with regard to the ‘Gutkha’ scam, which reportedly took place during his tenure as Chennai commissioner of police.

The State government had appointed Rajendran as DGP by granting extension of service on the day of his day of superannuation on June 30, it may be recalled.

At the last hearing, the court had passed an interim order directing the respondents to file the documents in a sealed cover before the court on July 10.

Following the court direction, the chief secretary to the Tamil Nadu government submitted the entire records relating to the appointment of T. K. Rajendran as DGP in a sealed cover before the judges today. The director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption, Chennai, also produce the materials that was forwarded by the chief vigilance officer/chief secretary for quick verification, pursuant to the action taken by the I-T department, in the court.

However, the counsel who appeared for the I-T department requested a two-week time for submitting documents, but the judges directed the counsel to produce the records on July 12.