Madras High Court has given educationist and film producer Ishari K. Ganesh until July 13, 2026,to produce an official order closing corruption case against him and former AIADMK Minister C. Vijayabaskar. Case launched by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in 2022,focusing on bribery allegations tied to 'essentiality certificate' for Vels Medical College.
During recent hearing, First Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan stressed need for Ganesh to show either state government's executive order or judicial order quashing 2022 FIR . Without it, his plea to quash an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against him will be dismissed.
DVAC filed FIR on September 12,2022, based on intelligence that Ganesh bribed Vijayabaskar for certificate, allowing Vels Medical College to admit 150 MBBS students. Regulations say certificate issued only if private hospital has run for two years,functioning as teaching hospital with 300 beds. FIR claims college got certificate while still under construction.
FIR also alleges Vijayabaskar swayed inspection team of government doctors to submit false report on college's readiness. Evidence from Assistant Director of Town and Country Planning showed college buildings unfinished at inspection time.
In twist,when accused Dr. Balajinathan moved to quash FIR in 2025,DVAC responded case against Ganesh, Vijayabaskar, Dr. K. Srinivasaraja closed due to lack of evidence. Vigilance Commission accepted DVAC's report,deciding to drop actions against Ganesh and Srinivasaraja,seen as private individuals not public servants.
On June 25, 2024, Vigilance Commission confirmed closure . DVAC advised only departmental action against four government doctors for alleged misconduct. Following this, Justice Shamim Ahmed quashed further proceedings against Dr. Balajinathan on January 30, 2025 .
Ganesh filed writ petition March 23,2023, seeking to quash ECIR under Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Argued that since original FIR closed, ECIR should also be void. But Chief Justice’s Bench demanded formal closure order. Ganesh has failed to provide it despite requests since March 18,2026.
Court reiterated need for document,Ganesh warned his plea would be dismissed if deadline not met . Case draws attention...corruption and governance issues in Tamil Nadu's educational sector linger.
