Disproportionate Assets Case: Madras HC Overturns Trial Court’s Decision To Exonerate K Ponmudi

The Madras High Court on Tuesday has overturned the decision of the trial court’s to exonerate Tamil Nadu Education Minister K Ponmudi in the Disproportionate Assets Case.

Justice G Jayachandran, while responding to an appeal filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, annulled the trial court’s verdict that acquitted Minister Ponmudi in the case.

Justice Jayachandran issued a directive for Ponmudi and his wife to appear before the court on December 21.

The initial ruling by the trial court on June 28, 2023, cleared Tamil Nadu Education Minister Ponmudi of the charges in the DA case.

The case pertains to the period when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was in power from 2006-2011.

Ponmudi and his wife, Visalakshi, faced prosecution during the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime in 2011, accused of amassing assets exceeding their income.

Villupuram District Anti-Corruption Superintendent of Police, Kanniyappan, led the investigation, involving over a hundred individuals, with chargesheets filed in the case.

The allegations suggested that Minister Ponmudi and Visalakshi accumulated assets valued at more than Rs 1.36 crore.

Originally tried in the Villupuram Chief Criminal Court, the case was later transferred to the Villupuram Anti-Corruption Special Court in 2015.

In November 2022, following a change in power with the DMK assuming control, the case was shifted to the Vellore District Principal Sessions Court.

A pivotal development occurred when Ponmudi and his wife appeared in court on the day of judgment in the asset embezzlement case.

The presiding judge ruled in their favor, citing insufficient evidence as the basis for acquittal on the property transfer charge.

With no appeal from the anti-bribery department against this decision on June 28, Madras High Court Judge Anand Venkatesh took up the case.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court, on his own motion, reviewed the trial court’s order acquitting Higher Education Minister Ponmudi in the 2006 DA case filed by DVAC.

Ponmudi also appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking consideration and resolution in the DA matter, but the plea was subsequently dismissed by the Supreme court.