On Monday, the Supreme Court of India dismissed appeals against the Madras High Court's order for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a ₹397 crore (approximately $48 million USD) scam related to transformer purchases by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) between 2021 and 2023, when V Senthil Balaji served as the electricity minister. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stated that courts can initiate CBI investigations even without a formal request. The Madras High Court's April 29, 2026, ruling transferred the investigation from the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to the CBI, citing significant delays and lack of transparency in the state's inquiry process. The High Court criticized the government's decision to limit the investigation to only one official, suggesting a potential cover-up to protect higher officials and political figures. The Supreme Court reiterated the necessity for an independent investigation to maintain public trust, highlighting that the allegations involve individuals in high constitutional and political positions.