In Brief
A huge jobs-for-cash scam in Tamil Nadu's Metropolitan Transport Corporation involved senior officials allegedly collecting over ₹2 crores in bribes for public employment. Multiple FIRs were filed but initially prosecuted only under general penal provisions, omitting Prevention of Corruption Act offences. When the High Court ordered de novo investigation and stayed ED proceedings, the Supreme Court held that de novo investigation should be exercised sparingly and only where investigation is tainted. Here, no such unfairness was established. The Court upheld ED's registration of an Information Report under PMLA: once allegations of illegal gratification in public employment reach the public domain through FIRs identifying persons and scheduled offences, the foundational facts for ED jurisdiction exist. Mere possession and acquisition of bribe money constitutes money-laundering. The Court allowed ED to proceed with investigation and dismissed the High Court's orders staying ED proceedings and directing de novo investigation.
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