Chennai: In a significant development concerning alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries across Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court has ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and the freezing of bank accounts belonging to a publisher. The court’s directive follows fresh allegations of large-scale irregularities in book procurement, specifically for Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore, surfacing through a contempt petition.
Court Directs FIR, Suspension, and Account Freezing
The High Court has directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to initiate a criminal investigation into the matter. Simultaneously, it has ordered the freezing of bank accounts associated with Agal Vilakku Publication, its proprietor Thiru Mohan, and other individuals implicated in the alleged scam. The court also mandated the government to commence disciplinary actions, including the suspension of officials found responsible for fraudulent procurement activities over the past two years.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the court was hearing a contempt petition regarding the alleged non-compliance with its June 2024 directions aimed at ensuring transparency in the procurement of books for public libraries. The bench, comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and M.D. Sumathi, observed that a crime involving crores of rupees could not have occurred without the active involvement of government servants.
Allegations of AI-Generated Content and Fictitious Authors
The controversy gained traction after novelist Perumal Murugan raised concerns about the procurement of expensive, error-filled books at the Periyar Arivulagam library. Allegations include the republishing of old works under different titles and authors’ names, repeated purchases of nationalized books, and the acquisition of AI-generated or plagiarized content. One such book, titled “Democracy and People’s Right in the Contemporary World,” found in the Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai, was falsely attributed to economist Jean Drèze, who denounced the publication as fake. Similar misattributions were noted for works supposedly by Tamil poet Subramania Bharati.
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for School Education, A. Rajmohan, has alleged a network operating for years, utilizing artificial intelligence, shifting author identities, and multiple publishing names to introduce dubious books into public library collections. He stated that investigators had begun inquiries at the Anna Centenary Library and that steps were being taken to question the owner of Agalvilakku Publishing House. Around 3,000 books suspected to be part of the alleged scam in Coimbatore have been boxed and sealed, with 523 identified at Chennai’s Connemara Library.
Background of the Case
The current proceedings stem from a writ petition filed in 2019 by S. Krishnan, alleging irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries. In June 2024, the Madras High Court had issued a series of directions to ensure transparency, including the maintenance of a dedicated website for proposed purchases and a period for public objections. The court had also directed the state government to form a committee to investigate allegations, publish a report, and take action against responsible officials.
The DVAC commenced its inquiry after receiving a complaint from the School Education Department on November 6, 2026. Inspections have been conducted at the Anna Centenary Library and Periyar Arivulagam to scrutinize procurement documents, financial transactions, and accounts. The investigation aims to examine the procurement process, pricing, payments, publishers, and the potential diversion of public funds.
The Chenab Times News Desk
