The court overturned a trial court's acquittal just two days prior, emphasizing overwhelming evidence...
Digital Desk: Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy faced a significant setback on Thursday as the Madras High Court sentenced him to three years in jail in connection with a corruption case involving ₹1.75 crore in disproportionate assets.
The court overturned a trial court's acquittal just two days prior, emphasizing overwhelming evidence against the DMK leader and his wife.
Despite the conviction, Ponmudy has a 30-day window during which he can appeal to the Supreme Court. His jail term has been temporarily suspended, allowing him to pursue legal recourse.
However, with his conviction, Ponmudy automatically ceases to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and consequently, a minister. The higher education portfolio he held has been transferred to Backward Classes Welfare Minister RS Rajakannappan.
Justice G Jayachandran criticized the trial court's judgment, deeming it "palpably wrong" and justifying the High Court's intervention. This development comes on the heels of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi's call for Chief Minister MK Stalin to remove Ponmudy from the cabinet.
The case traces back to the DMK's tenure from 2006 to 2011, during which Ponmudy allegedly amassed assets worth ₹1.36 crore. Initiated by the rival AIADMK, which assumed power in 2011, the legal proceedings have become a point of contention between the state government and the Governor.
The ongoing conflict escalated further as Governor RN Ravi and the Tamil Nadu government clashed in the Supreme Court. The DMK accused Ravi of intentionally delaying the clearance of bills passed by the state Assembly, adding another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous political landscape.
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