Tamil Nadu Library Book Scam: Madras HC Orders FIR, Suspension of Officials, Freezing of Bank Accounts

In a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with court's June 2024 directions in a matter concerning irregularities in procurement of books for public libraries across Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court on November 10, 2026 observed that a crime involving crores of rupees could not have taken place without active involvement of government servants.

Court said the earlier writ petition was filed when AIADMK was in power, it was disposed of when DMK was at the helm, and TVK is leading the governing coalition when the present scandal erupted.

"Actors change, actions do not," said the division bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and M.D. Sumathi.

The present contempt petition was filed by one Ramasubbu. However, court noted that the people of Tamil Nadu were in for a shock on the eve of Diwali when writer Perumal Murugan vented his anguish on social media on the colossal fraud in the matter of procurement of the so-called books for Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore.

Court pointed out that the government acknowledged that the system had been taken for a huge ride, and Ms. Jayanthi, I.A.S., was relieved of her responsibility as Director of Public Libraries on November 8.

Following the administrative reshuffle, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) also commenced its enquiry and the existing book procurement orders stood cancelled.

The division bench stressed that the court also could not remain silent when it had been brought to its notice that its directions issued on June 19, 2024 in S. Krishnan v. Secretary to Government, Department of Higher Education had been "brazenly and egregiously breached".

In the Krishnan case, irregularities in book procurement, including republishing old works under different titles and authors' names, purchasing nationalised books repeatedly, and violating the condition prohibiting the purchase of the same book within five years, were found.

In the matter, court had directed the State Government to constitute a committee to investigate the allegations, publish a comprehensive report identifying unfair practices and take action against officials found responsible.

It had also prescribed greater transparency in procurement, including maintaining a dedicated website displaying proposed purchases and allowing publishers and members of the public to raise objections.

However, through the present contempt proceedings, fresh allegations of large-scale irregularities in the procurement of books for Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore surfaced.

Court took note of writer Perumal Murugan's concerns and also referred to a book titled "Democracy and People's Right in the Contemporary World", which was found in the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai and falsely attributed to economist Jean Drèze. The economist had denounced the publication as fake.

Further referring to works falsely attributed to Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, popularly known as Bharathiyar, the bench remarked that he "can only turn in his grave" as such publications continued to occupy the shelves of public libraries.

Court observed that stocking public libraries with bogus books, false content and works attributed to fictitious authors not only violates the statutory obligations under the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948, but also infringes citizens' right to receive accurate and quality information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Court held that AI-generated and plagiarised books fall within the category of publications of "doubtful taste" and cannot be procured for public libraries, while emphasising that government-funded libraries must provide readers with authentic information.

Notably, as per Rule 18(4) of the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Rules, 1950, which prescribes standards for books purchased for libraries, fiction and novels must be by standard authors and must not be of 'doubtful taste'.

Importantly, when court highlighted that despite the alleged irregularities surfacing, no FIR had been registered, the State Public Prosecutor suggested that the court should await the conclusion of the detailed enquiry initiated by the DVAC. 

However, the division bench said it could not leave the matter at that.

"We are concerned with a more fundamental issue. Namely, the majesty of this Court. When this Court had passed certain categorical directions on 19.06.2024 as to how the public procurement of books should take place, it ought to have been complied with in letter and spirit," the bench said. 

Court said that in the present matter, not only the BNS provisions but also the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act stood attracted.

Therefore, taking a serious view, court directed R.V. Shajeevana, Director of Public Libraries, Chennai to furnish the names and details of officials responsible for fraudulent procurement during the last two years and more so that they could be impleaded as contemnors in the present contempt case. 

Separately, court directed the DVAC to register an FIR into the matter. 

Court also ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Agal Vilakku Publication, its proprietor Thiru Mohan and others involved. It also directed the Government to initiate disciplinary action, including suspension of officials involved.

Moreover, court directed the librarians to prepare an inventory of suspect books and make them unavailable to readers.

Court directed the Director of Public Libraries to file an affidavit detailing the entire sequence of events and identifying everyone involved.

Court also asked the authorities to disclose the exact amount spent on procuring the suspect books and produce the relevant records.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 11, 2026.

Case Title: Case: Ramasubbu v. K. Gopal and Others.

Order Date: November 10, 2026

Bench: Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi