Centre tells court only PM's office can sanction IAS officer prosecution

The Centre has submitted before the Madras High Court that prosecuting IAS officers requires sanction from the Prime Minister's Office, a position recorded by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh during proceedings in the tender irregularities case. The submission was made in connection with ongoing investigations against IAS officers K.S. Kandasamy and K. Vijaya Karthikeyan, who are accused in a ₹98.25-crore corporation tender case linked to former AIADMK Minister S.P. Velumani.

Justice Venkatesh has granted a two-month extension to allow the government to secure the required sanction from the PM's office before any prosecution action can proceed. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in tender procedures involving a Chennai corporation project, with investigations having implicated multiple officials.

The requirement for prior sanction before prosecuting government officials is a procedural safeguard under existing laws. The court's decision to grant additional time reflects the need for adherence to these prescribed protocols before criminal prosecution of the named IAS officers can commence. The next hearing will determine whether the necessary approval has been obtained within the stipulated period.