Former TN Minister Ponmudi Moves Supreme Court Against Reversal Of Acquittal In Disproportionate Assets Case

Former Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi has moved the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order setting aside his acquittal in a disproportionate assets case.

The matter came up today before a Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, when the DMK leader's prayer for interim relief (suspension of conviction) was raised and pressed. Being of the opinion that the matter needed consideration, the Court listed it for March 18.

To recap, a case was registered against Ponmudi (& his wife) by the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) based on allegations that he amassed wealth disproportionate to his sources of income during his tenure as the Minister for Mines and Minerals in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government (2006-2010). The Trial Court acquitted the pair holding that prosecution failed to prove that they amassed wealth of Rs.1.36 crores disproportionate to known sources of income.

In December, 2023, however, a Bench of the Madras High Court found error in the trial Court order and set aside the acquittal. It directed the ex-Minister and his wife to appear for hearing on sentence. After being heard, the two were sentenced to simple imprisonment for 3 years, alongwith fine.

Challenging the High Court order reversing the acquittal, Ponmudi approached the Supreme Court. During the hearing today, the Bench enquired as to what was to be done.

Senior Advocate Dr AM Singhvi, appearing for Ponmudi, replied, "Stay of conviction".

Disagreeing, J Oka said, "Not stay of conviction, [you want] suspension of conviction".

Conceding, Singhvi sought to draw the Court's attention to three recent judgments, including on the aspect that a constituency should not go unrepresented till trial goes on.

Taking note, Justice Oka asked that the judgments be placed on record before the next date. At the request of the parties, the matter was listed for March 18, 2024. 

Case Title: K Ponmudi@Deivasigamani v. The State of Tamil Nadu, Crl.A. No. 530-531/2024