Supreme Court tossed out a petition Friday seeking CBI probe into alleged irregularities during trust vote in Tamil Nadu Assembly on May 13. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay won majority, backed by Congress,CPI,CPI(M),VCK, IUML, 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs,one from AMMK.
Petitioner K.K. Ramesh alleged “huge sums of money” were used to sway rebel lawmakers,calling for President’s Rule in Tamil Nadu . But Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V . Mohana found claims “vague,wild and casual” with no credible evidence.
“...the petition is based upon vague,wild and casual allegations without any reliable material on record to substantiate the same. We see no ground to interfere,”
stated the Bench,stressing lack of proof. Ramesh accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and AIADMK members of horse-trading,claiming they got cash and promises of contracts for votes .
During hearing,advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin for Ramesh argued quick acceptance of AIADMK resignations by Speaker breached anti-defection law. He called the fast-tracking a ploy to let rebels join TVK .
“In Tamil Nadu, rebel MLAs resigned,the Speaker accepted their resignations within minutes,and they joined another party. This is totally horse-trading,” Sukin said.
But Chief Justice Kant raised doubts about Ramesh's motives, calling him a “serial PIL litigant.” He questioned Ramesh's frequent filings, suggesting pattern of baseless petitions.
The Bench also rejected Ramesh's bid for High Court relief. His petition,under Article 32,claimed horse-trading violated his fundamental rights as Tamil Nadu resident for 25 years .
Ramesh argued trust vote was illegal,against democratic principles,urging Assembly's dissolution and CBI probe . He wanted President’s Rule until investigation wrapped up.
On May 13, TVK government managed trust vote without majority in 234-member Assembly. Rebel AIADMK MLAs and others pushed it over halfway mark. After vote,Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar said no action against 21 of 25 rebel MLAs who backed Vijay,citing AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami's letters excusing them.
