Chennai, [Date]: The Madras High Court handed down a three-year sentence of simple imprisonment to Tamil Nadu Education Minister K Ponmudi in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case. Justice G Jayachandran presided over the case and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh each on Minister Ponmudi and his wife.
Despite the verdict, the judge opted to suspend Ponmudi’s sentence for 30 days, considering his current position as the Higher Education Minister.
Earlier in the week, the Madras High Court overturned the trial court’s verdict that had previously acquitted Ponmudi of charges in the DA case. Responding to an appeal filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Justice G Jayachandran nullified the trial court’s judgment. Ponmudi and his wife have been directed to appear before the court on December 21.
he roots of the case extend to the period when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was in power from 2006 to 2011. Ponmudi and his wife, Visalakshi, faced prosecution during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) regime in 2011, accused of amassing assets beyond their known income. The investigation, led by Villupuram District Anti-Corruption Superintendent of Police Kanniyappan, involved over a hundred individuals, with chargesheets filed in connection to the case.
Allegations surfaced that Minister Ponmudi and Visalakshi had accumulated assets exceeding Rs 1.36 crore. Despite Ponmudi’s appeal to the Supreme Court seeking consideration and resolution in the DA matter, the plea was ultimately dismissed by the apex court.
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