The Tamilnadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi has been convicted in the case of adding Rs 1 crore 75 lakhs assets beyond his income. Madras High Court has given this verdict and said that the sentence will be announced the day after tomorrow. Due to this, there is a chance that Ponmudi may lose his eligibility to continue as an MLA. In 2016, the Villupuram Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Department registered a case against Minister Ponmudi for adding assets above income during the period from 2006-2011. Ponmudi was acquitted due to insufficient evidence in the case. The case has been filed against Minister Ponmudi because he allegedly owned 1 crore 75 lakhs more than his income. However, the special court that heard the case declared Ponmudi and his wife and acquitted them. After that, an appeal was raised against Ponmudi by DVAC.
Justice Anand Venkatesh from the Madras High Court decided to review Ponmudi’s case on August 10. This came as part of his own initiative to re-examine the acquittals of six politicians, including ministers. Justice Jayachandran took over the case due to a change in the court’s schedule.
Judge Jayachandran investigated this case and the department handed over all the witnesses obtained in the investigation from 39 persons. Judge Jayachandran ruled that Ponmudi had accumulated assets 64.90% more than usual. They argued that his wife’s property was also included as his property. It was contended that he had 110 acres in the name of his wife.
Also, the Madras High Court has announced that Ponmudi and his wife, who are involved in this case, must appear in person on December 21, 2023, and if he is sentenced to two years in prison, his MLA post may be forfeited, and he will not be able to contest elections for the next ten years.
