Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 03-08-2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Petitioner Naresh (A2), residing at A1/2, 14th Cross Street, Besant Nagar, Chennai, versus the State represented by the Inspector of Police, D‑1 Police Station, Triplicane, Chennai (Crime No.205 of 2026).
  • Arrest & Custody: Naresh was arrested on 30‑06‑2026, remanded to judicial custody on 02‑07‑2026 under Sections 8 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Sections 61(2)(a) & 351(3) of the B.N.S. (equivalent to IPC Sections 120B & 506(2)).
  • Allegations: The prosecution alleges that Naresh, together with other accused, offered a sum of Rs 35 crore as illegal gratification to influence a no‑confidence motion concerning the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The scheme targeted elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) belonging to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party.
  • Conspiracy Details:
  • First clandestine meeting in the first week of June 2026 at a liquor bar, where it was discussed that each TVK MLA would be paid Rs 35 crore and intermediaries would receive Rs 5 crore as commission. The financiers were identified as R.V. Ashok Kumar and his brother, MLA V. Senthil Balaji.
  • A subsequent meeting on 13‑06‑2026 at Upavihar Hotel, East Coast Road, Chennai, further deliberated implementation modalities.
  • Additional meetings at a hotel in Guindy involved accused A1, A9, A3, A4, A5 and A6 to advance the illegal design.
  • Money Transfer Mechanism:
  • Naresh instructed his wife Neetha and driver Krishna Mandal to deliver Rs 5 crore in cash to Deepam Finance, Choolaimedu, Chennai, owned/controlled by accused A13, A14 and Kanagaraj.
  • A13 and A14 coordinated with Raja @ Rengarajan, Partner of Pentagon Finance, Madurai, to disburse Rs 1.5 crore.
  • Naresh, accompanied by accused A9, received Rs 80 lakhs from Pentagon Finance for approaching MLA V. Vijay Mahalingam (Usilampatti). CCTV footage shows Naresh/A2 and A9 collecting the cash.
  • From this amount, Rs 2 lakhs were paid as advance to accused A12; the remaining Rs 78 lakhs were handed to Karthik Raja (absconding) via a relative of Lakshmanaperumal for concealment.
  • Communication Evidence: Scientific analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs), tower location data, and other electronic evidence demonstrated Naresh’s frequent communication with principal conspirators (R.V. Ashok Kumar, A1, A7, A8, A9, Lakshmanaperumal) through WhatsApp calls, mobile calls, and personal meetings throughout June 2026.
  • Search & Seizure:
  • At Naresh’s residence, Rs 13,26,800 in cash and other incriminating material were seized.
  • Subsequent raids recovered:
  • Rs 2,82,49,000 from Deepam Finance on 17‑07‑2026.
  • Rs 56,00,000 from Pentagon Finance on 18‑07‑2026.
  • Rs 1,68,000 from Blue Mountain Finance, Dindigul on 18‑07‑2026.
  • Seized items also included financial records, account books, hard disks, DVRs, CCTV footage and other electronic devices, confirming systematic use of an illegal domestic hawala network.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, noting that co‑accused had already been granted bail or anticipatory bail and considering the period of incarceration already served by Naresh, granted bail to the petitioner.
  • Naresh is ordered to execute a bond of Rs 25,000 with two sureties (one must be a blood‑related surety), each posting Rs 25,000 to the satisfaction of the Principal Sessions Judge, Chennai (Special Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act).
  • Conditions of Bail:

1. Sureties must affix photographs and left thumb impressions; Magistrate may verify identity via Aadhar card or bank passbook.

2. Naresh must report daily before the respondent police at 10:30 a.m. until further orders.

3. He must not tamper with evidence or witnesses during investigation or trial.

4. He must not abscond during investigation or trial.

5. Breach of any condition empowers the Magistrate/Trial Court to take appropriate action, following the Supreme Court precedent in P.K. Shaji Vs. State of Kerala (2005) AIR SCW 5560.

6. If Naresh absconds, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 229‑A IPC.

Topics: Corruption, Political Bribery, Bail