The Madras High Court on July 13, 2026, permitted educationist and film producer Ishari K.Ganesh to withdraw his writ petition filed in 2025 to quash a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).The court allowed him to withdraw the plea with the liberty to approach again if needed.The case was withdrawn after the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) reported that the predicate offence against Ganesh was still active.

Ganesh's counsel mentioned that while the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) had filed a closure report in 2024, the trial court had not yet accepted it.The case relates to a corruption investigation initiated by DVAC in 2022 against Ganesh and former minister C.Vijayabaskar, alleging bribes to secure an 'essentiality certificate' for Vels Medical College.DVAC claimed the private institution did not meet regulatory requirements for admitting MBBS students.

However, after investigation, DVAC decided to close the case against Ganesh and Vijayabaskar, recommending only departmental action against four government doctors involved.The court's decision underscores the legal complexities of quashing cases when predicate offences remain unresolved.