Thu Feb 05 03:10:16 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Madras High Court Addresses “Mischievous” Petition Against Tamil Nadu Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan

The Story:

The Madras High Court is reviewing a writ petition accusing Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Finance and Human Resource Management, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, of misleading a Madurai-based couple into relinquishing their 2.26 acres of land. The petition, filed by Jai Balaji Subramaniyan (42), alleges that the Minister used his influence to obtain a general power of attorney and subsequently attempted to unlawfully alienate the property. The court has granted the petitioner time to amend the petition due to recent developments, including a show cause notice from the Lok Ayukta.

Key Points:

  • The writ petition accuses Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan of inducing and misleading a couple to part with their 2.26 acres of land in Madurai.
  • The petitioner, Jai Balaji Subramaniyan, claims he purchased the property on May 20, 2024.
  • He alleges the Minister offered to facilitate statutory approvals for converting the land into residential plots.
  • A general power of attorney was executed in favor of a chartered accountant on June 24, 2024, at the Minister’s instance.
  • The petitioner alleges misuse of the power of attorney to sell the property, discovering this in April-May 2025.
  • The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had previously issued an interim order in favor of the petitioner regarding the revocation of the power of attorney on May 8, 2025.
  • A First Information Report (FIR) was filed on October 14, 2025, concerning a fabricated life certificate used in attempts to sell the property.
  • The petitioner approached the Lok Ayukta on December 19, 2025, accusing the Minister of abusing his official position.
  • The Lok Ayukta issued a show cause notice on January 30, 2026, questioning the substantiality of the corruption or coercion allegations.
  • The writ petition was filed on January 23, 2026, numbered on February 2, 2026, and heard on February 4, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case highlights potential issues of abuse of power and influence by public officials.
  • The judiciary is actively scrutinizing allegations of corruption and misuse of authority.
  • The involvement of multiple authorities (High Court, Lok Ayukta, Police) indicates a complex legal battle.
  • The timeline suggests a protracted dispute, spanning from mid-2024 to early 2026.

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