Vigilance Commission will now seek the government's remarks before ordering a probe against government employees.
Government officials can no longer be investigated for corruption in Tamil Nadu without the state's approval. A government recent order to this effect, which has incensed activists, has been challenged in court and the case will be heard today.
In the order dated February 2, the state government has made it mandatory for the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to forward corruption allegations to the Vigilance Commission, which will seek the government's remarks before ordering a probe. NDTV has a copy of the order.
Earlier, top bureaucrats from the level of Joint Secretary, had immunity from immediate investigation. Corruption charges against them could be probed with the approval of the state government. But the new order is applicable to all government employees.
Activists say the government's order is in contempt of a recent order of the Supreme Court regarding the Delhi Police Establishment Act, in which the court had said that protection against probing senior officers was invalid.
"The government is breathing corruption into the system now. This will force people to pay a bribe and move on, as it makes taking action against corrupt officials even more difficult," said Chandru, an anti-corruption activist.
"This is a contempt of the Supreme Court's order," said P Pugalendhi, an advocate of Madras High Court. "We can't nail corrupt officials now. Earlier, the vigilance officials would lay a trap and catch officials demanding bribe. Now the golden opportunity would be lost as the government can take a long time to get back".
Advocate Radhakrishnan, who appeared in this case for the petitioner says "We hope the court will quash this order".
Senior government officials were not reachable for their comments.