SC Rejects Plea Seeking Probe Into TVK Trust Vote

• Supreme Court dismisses plea against TVK trust vote.
• CBI probe and President’s Rule demand rejected.
• Court calls allegations vague and unsupported.
• Bench describes petitioner as a serial litigant.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th June: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged corruption and horse-trading during the trust vote won by Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana refused to entertain the plea, stating that it was based on “vague, wild and casual allegations without any reliable material on record.”

The petition filed by Madurai resident K.K. Ramesh alleged that TVK, despite not having a majority on its own, secured support from legislators of other parties through monetary inducements and promises of government contracts to win the trust vote held on May 13.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin argued that legislators across the country were switching sides due to threats or financial incentives and urged the court to intervene to protect democracy.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice questioned the broad allegations and asked the counsel to specify the parties and states being referred to. The court also remarked that the petitioner was a “serial petitioner”.

The plea alleged that TVK, which had 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, secured the support of other parties and factions, including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, IUML, a group of rebel AIADMK MLAs and the lone AMMK legislator, taking its strength to 144 and enabling it to pass the confidence vote.

However, the bench was not convinced by the submissions and dismissed the petition, refusing to order a CBI investigation or any direction regarding President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu.