The Tamil Nadu library book procurement case has intensified after the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench cited a 1985 short story by Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Nanjil Nadan while questioning alleged irregularities in the purchase of books for government libraries across the state.
The court has also urged the government to take corrective action to strengthen the administration of publicly funded libraries. The case concerns allegations that books containing incorrect information and attributed to fictitious authors were supplied to libraries, including the E.V.R. Periyar-named library in Coimbatore.
According to the report, books published by Akal Vilakku, Phoenix and Vintage were found at the Coimbatore library. The books were allegedly prepared using artificial intelligence technology and carried false information and the names of purported authors. The issue forms part of a wider case concerning alleged malpractice in the procurement of books for government libraries.
The original case was filed in 2019. In 2024, the High Court had issued directions on the procedures to be followed for future library book purchases. During the current proceedings, the court expressed concern that allegedly fake books had been procured despite those directions.
The proceedings were initiated after Ramasubbu of Tirunelveli filed a contempt petition. A bench comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and M.D. Sumi heard the matter. In his order, Justice Swaminathan referred to Nanjil Nadan’s short story “Uzhaavarap Padaiyaali”, published in the 1985 collection “Peikkoottu” by Vijaya Pathippagam.
The story uses a fictional interview with a publisher to describe how unsold books could be supplied to libraries through government orders and later repackaged under new titles. Referring to the passage, the judge observed that the story was not merely fictional but reflected a deeper irregularity within the system, according to the report.
The court’s observations place the procurement process under scrutiny beyond the question of individual books. Public libraries are maintained with government funds, and the court has asked the government to take appropriate steps to reform their administration. The proceedings also raise questions about how books are evaluated, approved, priced and inspected before they reach library shelves.
The Public Libraries Department has reportedly ordered the removal of the allegedly fake books from libraries across Tamil Nadu. A total of 70,674 books have been removed and kept separately in sealed boxes. The books were reportedly marked at prices exceeding Rs 1,000 each, indicating an alleged irregularity running into several crores of rupees.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption began an investigation after the High Court directed that a case be registered. The agency has been asked to file a copy of the case before the court. The government is also required to respond to questions raised during the hearing.
The matter is scheduled to come up again at 2.15 pm on November 16. The next hearing is expected to cover the anti-corruption investigation, the government’s response and the identification of those responsible for the alleged procurement irregularities.
