Thu Sep 04 10:30:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

The Madras High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking the recovery of ₹10 lakh, alleging Governor R.N. Ravi improperly granted the sum to his media advisor, S. Thirugnana Sampandam, from the Governor’s discretionary quota. The petitioner, S. Gandeeban, argued the grant violated the Tamil Nadu Financial Code, as Sampandam wasn’t a deserving individual for such a large sum of public funds. The court ruled that it was the Accountant General, and not the court, who should consider if there was a violation. The petitioner had already filed a representation to the Finance Secretary who took no action.

**News Article:**

**Madras High Court Dismisses PIL Over Governor’s Discretionary Grant to Media Advisor**

**CHENNAI, September 4, 2025** – The Madras High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking the recovery of ₹10 lakh granted by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi to his media and communication advisor, S. Thirugnana Sampandam. The petition alleged the grant, disbursed from the Governor’s discretionary quota, violated the Tamil Nadu Financial Code.

The PIL, filed by S. Gandeeban, argued that while the Governor’s discretionary grants are permitted for public welfare and aid to deserving individuals, Mr. Sampandam, serving as an honorary media advisor, did not qualify. Gandeeban’s petition highlighted that Mr. Sampandam was appointed in November 2022 without salary but later received ₹10 lakh from the Governor’s discretionary fund. The petitioner claims that this irregularity “escaped the scrutiny of the Accountant General of Tamil Nadu.”

A First Division Bench of the High Court, comprised of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan, stated that the decision on whether the grant violated the Finance Code rested with the Accountant General of Tamil Nadu, not the court. The court said it’s up to the accountant general to determine if the grant violates the Finance Code.

Gandeeban informed the court he had previously made a representation to the Finance Secretary on July 29, 2025, seeking recovery of the funds, but no action was taken. This inaction led him to file the PIL, which has now been dismissed. The ruling effectively places the responsibility for investigating potential financial irregularities with the state’s accounting body.

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