Published Jun 30, 2026 | 9:45 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2026 | 9:45 PM
RS Bharathi said two private individuals, Jhon Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy, were illegally participating in Cabinet meetings.
Synopsis: Bharati alleged that confidential details related to Cabinet meetings, official review meetings, and sensitive government consultations held under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay were being accessed by private individuals not authorised to participate in such proceedings.
Alleging a leak of confidential government information, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) secretary RS Bharathi on Tuesday, 30 June, sought immediate legal action under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
In a complaint lodged with the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, Bharati alleged that confidential details related to Cabinet meetings, official review meetings, and sensitive government consultations held under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay were being accessed by private individuals not authorised to participate in such proceedings.
He named Jhon Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy, saying they were illegally participating in Cabinet meetings and other confidential government discussions and gaining access to sensitive state information.
Arokiasamy is a political strategist, and Reddy is considered close to Vijay. Reports earlier said Reddy was appointed as advisor to the Chief Minister for public events and general matters, while Arokiasamy was posted as the Chief Minister’s advisor on political affairs.
Bharati said the two individuals, reportedly from Andhra Pradesh, have allegedly been allowed into rooms adjacent to the Chief Minister’s Office and have been participating in high-level government meetings.
Speaking to South First, he said video clippings and photographs showing Arokiasamy and Reddy attending high-level government and Cabinet meetings were attached to the complaint. Additional DGP Praveen Kumar received the complaint, since DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal was participating in an IAS-IPS conference.
He argued that under the Constitution, the Chief Minister has a legal and constitutional responsibility to protect Cabinet confidentiality and safeguard sensitive state matters. Allowing unauthorised individuals into such meetings, he alleged, violated the oath of secrecy.
The DMK leader further said that under Tamil Nadu government business rules, Cabinet deliberations and confidential government files were meant only for ministers and authorised government officials. If unauthorised private individuals were allowed to access such files or issue instructions to officials, it could amount to offences under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
In his complaint, Bharathi urged the DGP to immediately register an FIR, investigate the background of those involved, examine Secretariat visitor logs, CCTV footage, office allocation records, digital communications and file movement registers, and initiate strict criminal action against all persons connected to the alleged breach.
He stressed that swift action should be taken without delay to uphold the rule of law and ensure that everyone remains equal before the law.
Meanwhile, a minister refuted Bharati’s charges. He said neither Arokyasamy nor Reddy attended the last Cabinet meeting. Requesting anonymity, he added that reports suggested the two had been appointed as advisors to the Chief Minister, but said he was not fully aware of the details.
“I will look into it and get back,” the TVK minister told South First.
