Now Reading: Madras HC orders DVAC to file FIR in library book scam
-
01
Madras HC orders DVAC to file FIR in library book scam
The Story in Brief
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, 10 November, directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to register an FIR and freeze the bank accounts of fraudulent publishers in the alleged scam involving procurement of books for Tamil Nadu public libraries. A division bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice M D Sumathi passed the order on a contempt petition by advocate V Ramasubbu over non-compliance with a 2024 court directive.
The scam came to light after writer Perumal Murugan flagged irregularities in books stocked at the Periyar Arivulagam library in Coimbatore. The School Education Minister A Rajmohan accused the previous DMK regime of manipulating procurement to benefit unknown entities like Agal Vilakku Pathippagam, bypassing established publishers. Around 3,000 books were removed in Coimbatore and 523 problematic books identified at the Connemara Public Library.
Justice Swaminathan said the practices amounted to 'blatant disobedience' and that 'heads must roll.' The court directed the director of public libraries to submit a list of responsible officials by Wednesday, 11 November. Additional Advocate General B Saravanan told the court all details would be placed within 24 hours. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Wednesday.
Update, 10 November 2026: Times Now reports the court ordered immediate freezing of Agal Vilakku Publishing House's bank account. The News Minute and Live Law add that Justice Swaminathan called the practices 'blatant disobedience' and said 'heads must roll.' The Hindu Business Line reports that School Education Minister A Rajmohan accused the previous DMK regime of manipulation and that around 3,000 books were removed in Coimbatore.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Coverage is uniform straight reporting across all six outlets, with no discernible slant. Every source leads with the court's direction to the DVAC and the freezing of accounts, though Times Now names Agal Vilakku specifically while The Hindu Business Line includes the minister's political allegations against the DMK. The News Minute and Live Law both quote Justice Swaminathan's sharp remarks about 'blatant disobedience' and 'heads must roll.' The differences are in selection of detail rather than framing. The court has posted the matter for Wednesday, 11 November, when the list of responsible officials is due.
Coverage: 6 sources, 6 neutral
Sources (6): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), dtnext.in (neutral report), thenewsminute.com (neutral report), livelaw.in (neutral report), thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report), timesnownews.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
