Published Nov 10, 2026 | 9:04 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 10, 2026 | 9:04 PM
The court also ordered the freezing of the bank account of Akalvilakku Publications.
Synopsis: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on 10 November directed the DVAC to register a case into alleged irregularities in book procurement for public libraries and ordered the freezing of Akalvilakku Publications’ bank account. The directions came during a contempt petition alleging that the School Education Department had failed to follow the court’s 2024 directions on online notifications and public consultation before finalising book purchases.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, 10 November directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to immediately register a case into alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries and ordered the freezing of the bank account of Akalvilakku Publications.
The directions came during the hearing of a contempt of court petition filed by Ramasubbu of Tirunelveli against the Secretary of the School Education Department for failing to comply with the court’s earlier directions on book procurement.
In his petition, Ramasubbu said the court had, in 2024, directed the authorities to publish book procurement notifications online, allow sufficient time for members of the public and publishers to submit their views, objections and suggestions, and finalise the procurement process only after considering them.
He alleged that the authorities had not followed these directions in procuring books for the Periyar Arivulagam Library and public libraries in Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Salem, Cuddalore and Tirunelveli. He sought contempt proceedings against the School Education Department Secretary for violating the court’s directions.
A Division Bench comprising Justices GR Swaminathan and R Poornima heard the petition.
Appearing for the State government, counsel submitted that the matter was under investigation and that complete details of the book procurement process would be placed before the court the following day.
The judges sought to know who had recommended the purchase of books published by Akalvilakku Publications for the Arivulagam Library. They also questioned why the authorities had not registered a case, even if the identities of those responsible for the alleged irregularities were not yet known.
The Bench then directed the DVAC to immediately register a case and ordered that the bank account of Akalvilakku Publications be frozen.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
