- By Vivek Raj
- Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:13 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Madras High Court has handed down a three-year prison sentence to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and DMK leader K Ponmudy and his wife P Visalakshi in a Rs 1.75 crore disproportionate assets case. The decision, following the court's overturning of a trial court's acquittal order, also includes a hefty fine of Rs 50 Lakh for both accused.
Justice G Jayachandran, while delivering the judgment on an appeal filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, pointed to the proven charges of criminal misconduct by a public servant and illicit enrichment against Ponmudy under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Madras High Court sentences Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy to 3 years of simple imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023
The court also imposes a fine of Rs 50 lakhs each on Ponmudy and his wife
The court suspended the sentence for 30 days for Ponmudy as… pic.twitter.com/2pTUyUqqw9
Similar charges against Visalakshi under the same sections, along with Section 109 of the Indian Penal Code for abetment, were also held as proved.
The court suspended the sentence for 30 days, considering Ponmudy's current ministerial position. However, potential disqualification that Ponmudy may face, with clarity expected later.
The judge criticised the trial court's acquittal, citing overwhelming evidence against the accused and the unsustainable reasons provided for ignoring said evidence. The acceptance of Income Tax returns without considering independent evidence was deemed wrong, and the judge highlighted the misinterpretation of bank account statements as proof of income.
The case revolves around allegations that Ponmudy amassed wealth amounting to Rs 1.75 crore between 2006 and 2011, disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as a Minister in the DMK regime.
