Tamil Nadu Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi Challenges ₹100-Crore Fraud Probe in Madras High Court, Says Only Governor Can Sanction Investigation

Tamil Nadu Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) registered against him in a ₹100-crore fraud case. The minister's plea, filed on [date], argues that the sanction for investigating him was invalidly granted by the Public Department Secretary on June 23, 2026, and that only the Governor holds the constitutional authority to sanction such an investigation.

The case stems from allegations of financial irregularities amounting to ₹100 crore. Poyyamozhi's legal team contends that the sanction order issued by the Public Department Secretary is ultra vires, as the matter falls under the Governor's discretionary powers. The FIR was registered following the Secretary's sanction, prompting the minister to challenge both the sanction and the subsequent FIR. The High Court is expected to examine whether the state government overstepped its authority in granting sanction without gubernatorial approval.

The outcome of this petition could have significant implications for the scope of executive power in Tamil Nadu and similar cases across India. If the court rules in Poyyamozhi's favor, it may set a precedent that restricts state governments from sanctioning investigations against constitutional authorities without the Governor's explicit consent. Conversely, a dismissal could embolden state agencies to pursue such cases independently. The court's decision will be closely watched by legal experts and political observers alike, as it touches upon the delicate balance between state executive authority and constitutional safeguards.