PIL seeks CBI probe into alleged ₹35 crore bribe offered to TVK MLA N Elayaraja

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition was listed for hearing at the Madras High Court on Thursday, July 16, 2026, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations that TVK MLA N. Elayaraja was offered a ₹35 crore bribe to vote against Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar. The petitioner raised concerns over the integrity of the investigation, which is currently being handled by the Triplicane police in Madras.

The plea was scheduled to be heard before the first Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan. Advocate J. Balasubramani of Tiruppur filed the petition, stating he has no political affiliation and is solely interested in a fair and impartial investigation.

According to the petitioner, Elayaraja, who represents the Uthangarai constituency, lodged a complaint with the Greater Chennai police on June 29, 2026. In his complaint, the MLA accused four individuals of offering him a ₹35 crore bribe to vote in favor of a proposed resolution against Speaker Prabhakar. Following the complaint, the Triplicane police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on June 30, 2026, and commenced an investigation.

However, Balasubramani's petition highlights several discrepancies that he claims raise reasonable suspicions. The petition points out that Elayaraja was allegedly threatened over the phone by one of the accused on June 26, 2026, yet the complaint was not lodged until three days later. The petitioner argued that this delay, combined with the registration of the FIR at the instance of an Additional Commissioner of Police, suggests the FIR may have been "orchestrated" due to political considerations.

Furthermore, the petitioner questioned the jurisdiction of the investigation. He argued that the FIR should have been registered at the Uthangarai police station in Krishnagiri district rather than the Triplicane police station in Madras. Although the MLAs' hostel falls under Triplicane's jurisdiction, Balasubramani termed the decision a clear instance of "forum selection" driven by political convenience and proximity to power, rather than legal jurisdiction.

The petition also referenced a broader pattern of political instability, pointing to a spate of resignations by MLAs elected on AIADMK tickets, as well as complaints from some DMK MLAs who claimed they were offered money to resign. Balasubramani asserted that these incidents reinforce the necessity of a central agency's involvement.

To ensure a comprehensive inquiry, the petitioner insisted that the case must be transferred from the Triplicane police to the CBI. He urged the court to direct a fresh investigation into both Elayaraja's complaint and all other related allegations of political horse-trading by the ruling party.