DMK seeks FIR over alleged participation of private individuals in Cabinet meetings
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has urged the Director-General of Police (DGP) to immediately register a First Information Report (FIR) and order an investigation into
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has urged the Director-General of Police (DGP) to immediately register a First Information Report (FIR) and order an investigation into the alleged participation of what it called “two private individuals”, John Arockiasamy and Vishnu Reddy, in Cabinet and official review meetings and other confidential government deliberations presided over by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. In a complaint addressed to the DGP, DMK organising secretary R.S. Bharathi sought the registration of an FIR and an investigation into the alleged commission of cognisable offences under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other applicable laws.
“The information disclosed herein prima facie reveals the unlawful communication, receipt, and access to confidential government information by unauthorised private individuals, together with possible abuse of public office, criminal conspiracy, and other offences requiring immediate criminal investigation,” Mr. Bharathi said. He said the Chief Minister was constitutionally bound by the Oath of Office and Secrecy under Article 164(3), read with the Third Schedule to the Constitution, and was under a continuing legal obligation to preserve the confidentiality of Cabinet proceedings and other sensitive government business. “The allegations regarding the participation of these two individuals raise serious issues concerning violations of constitutional obligations, statutory duties and criminal law,” he said.
According to the complaint, Mr. Arockiasamy and Mr. Reddy, described as “close associates of the Chief Minister and residents of Andhra Pradesh”, had regularly attended Cabinet and official review meetings and other high-level government deliberations held at the Secretariat. Bharathi further alleged they had been allotted office chambers adjoining that of Mr. Vijay within the Secretariat. “The central issue requiring investigation is whether Mr. Arockiasamy and Mr. Reddy are government servants or otherwise hold any office or authority recognised under law, an executive order, or the Tamil Nadu Government Business Rules, authorising them to participate in confidential government proceedings or access classified government information,” he said.
He contended that if they possessed no such lawful authority, their presence at Cabinet or confidential review meetings, where Cabinet papers, classified records, official files, and sensitive policy matters were discussed, prima facie disclosed serious offences relating to the unauthorised communication, receipt, possession, and use of official information by them and all those who knowingly facilitated such access. Bharathi added that if confidential Cabinet papers or other protected government information had been knowingly communicated to unauthorised persons, every individual responsible for such disclosure, receipt, or use could be liable under the Official Secrets Act and other applicable penal laws.
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