IAS officer in dock for ‘defaming’ Madras High Court judge

Chennai: A senior IAS officer is in the dock for allegedly passing defamatory statements against a Madras high court judge and the Advocate General during a conversation with tribal representatives and sitting CPI (M) MLA P. Dillibabu.

P. Annamalai, secretary to government of Tamil Nadu, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department, made corruption charges against justice Sathish K. Agnihotri stating that the government pleader and the judges were part of a 'corrupt cartel' that collects money and renders 'justice' for scheduled tribes to avail caste certificates.

Advocate S. Doraisamy who has filed a petition seeking ST community certificates for Kuruman tribes ethnic to Tamil Nadu, made an oral statement in the Madras high court (Court Hall - 2) stating that a senior government officer was demeaning the judiciary by making baseless charges.

The bench comprising judges Agnihotri and P. Devadoss instructed the counsel to submit an affidavit. “If the charges are true, there will be criminal proceedings against the official,” the court said and directed the advocates to submit necessary proofs. A copy of the confidential audio tape available with DC talks about the alleged nexus between advocates and judges.

When contacted, advocate S. Doraisamy said, “The honourable court has directed to file an affidavit in this regard. The evidences including documents and tapes that are available with us will be submitted in the court on Wednesday,” he said.

After being informed by the office of special public pleader that he was in big trouble for his controversial remarks, P Annamalai, post lunch dispatched two of his subordinates to get his counter replies and apologies ready for the High Court. Till late evening, the department staff were seen running from pillar to post to save their superior.

DC also witnessed a women lawyer attached to the special public prosecutor’s office bombarding the Adi Dravidar department staff outside the court hall two for not adhering to the court orders, but passing unnecessary comments against judiciary and advocates.

“The root case is one of your rude woman DRO not obeying court orders inviting trouble and there is a contempt petition also against her and submit your counters by evening,” the advocate concluded.

When contacted P Annamalai, the top official said, “I will not discuss anything over phone.”

L. Sivalingam, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Kurumans Tribal Federation said, “Yes, the secretary’s approach during our recent meeting was not positive and he also passed unwanted comments against the judiciary. We were taken aback by his comments, but the advocates are taking this matter seriously. We just want our community

certificates for our children without any delay or harassment and not interested in this crossfire.”

The recordings last for about 33 minutes in which members of Kuruman community introduce them to the government officer. In the 8th minute of the audio, the officer says in Tamil, “There is a group that forces us to give fake certificates for some communities. In the past three months, what I have learnt from my experience is that there is a corrupt practice between advocate, advocate general and justice Sathish K. Agnihotri passing orders helping people to avail fake certificates.”