Minister Ponmudi need not go to jail immediately as he has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and that sentence has been suspended. The jail sentence was suspended for 30 days. Ponmudi has 2 cases of hoarding of assets. A special court acquitted him in a case where he was accused of amassing assets of Rs 1.75 crore more than his income. In 2017, an appeal was filed in the Madras High Court on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Anti-Corruption Department against this order.
The day before yesterday, High Court Judge Jayachandran investigated the case and declared Ponmudi and his wife guilty. It was ordered that the details of the punishment would be announced on the 21st.
On this occasion, Ponmudi and his wife Visalakshi left for the court at 10 am from their residence in Saidapet. Ponmudi came to the court in a different car without the national flag instead of the car he usually uses. The sentence was announced at 10.40 am.
Ponmudi and his wife were accordingly sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 lakh. In default of payment of the fine, an additional six months of imprisonment was ordered. Advocate N. R. Elango, on Ponmudi’s side, argued that minimum punishment should be given considering age and physical health. Ponmudi’s wife Vishalakshi also requested that the sentence be reduced.
At that time, the judge said, “Give your request to the Supreme Court.” Justice Jayachandran ordered that the sentence be suspended for 30 days to facilitate the Ponmudi side’s appeal against the verdict in the Supreme Court.
However, Ponmudi lost his post as MLA and minister yesterday after he was declared guilty in this case. There is no need for Ponmudi to go to jail immediately as he has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and that sentence has been suspended. He may approach the Supreme Court seeking relief in this case.
Legal experts said that if the Supreme Court accepts his appeal in 30 days and suspends the High Court decision, just like Rahul Gandhi regained the post of MP, Ponmudi also has a chance to regain the post of MLA and minister. At the same time, Pomudi can avoid going to jail if only the sentence is suspended. Ponmudi’s political future will depend on the progress of the case in the Supreme Court.
| Also Read: Chennai High Court Sets Aside The Judgement Given By Trial Court Against TN Minister Ponmudi |
Lawyer N. R. Elango has said that he will appeal to the Supreme Court and free Ponmudi and his wife. He also said that Ponmudi’s wife P. Visalakshi has been paying the income tax in advance but she has not filed the income tax return properly.
