Tamil Nadu Minister Sentenced 3 Years Imprisonment in Disproportionate Assets Case

Chennai: DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy was sentenced to three years in jail and a Rs 50 lakh fine by the Madras High Court on Thursday in a disproportionate assets case. The court also slapped Rs 50 lakh fine on his wife.

The minister and his wife submitted their medical record and requested minimal punishment. The minister is 73-years-old while his wife is 60-years-old.

The Madras High Court allowed the convicts to go for higher appeal, by suspending the sentence for 30 days.

In this case, the Madras High Court overturned the lower court’s acquittal verdict to convict the Tamil Nadu minister.

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) case against Ponmudy and his wife was registered in 2002. It was alleged that the couple had properties worth Rs 1.4 crore which was disproportionate to their known sources of income at the time.

The DVAC alleged that Ponmudy amassed illegal wealth during his stint as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government from 1996-2001.

A sessions court in Vellore acquitted Ponmudy and his wife in this case. The Madras High Court in August decided to suo motu take up the revision of the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy and his wife in the disproportionate assets case.