Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Ponmudi
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday sentenced Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi to three years in jail under the Prevention of Corruption Act in a disproportionate assets case. With this he became disqualified as an MLA and also lost the post of minister. According to the information received, Justice G Jayachandran also sentenced Ponmudi’s wife P Vishalakshi to three years in jail. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh each on Ponmudi and his wife. The High Court had already convicted the minister and his wife in this case and sentenced them today.
Will have to surrender before the trial court after 30 days
Senior advocate NR Elango, appearing for the convicts, sought the court to grant him leave and suspend the sentence to enable him to file a special leave petition before the Supreme Court. On this the judge granted leave for 30 days and also suspended the sentence for 30 days. The judge said that on completion of the suspension period, he will have to surrender before the trial court in Villupuram.
Assembly membership will be cancelled.
Legal experts said Ponmudi has become disqualified from the post of MLA after his conviction and jail term and has also lost his ministerial post. Ponmudi is the first minister of the Stalin government to be convicted in the disproportionate assets case. Since the minister has been sentenced to more than 2 years. That is why Ponmudi’s assembly membership has been automatically cancelled. The minister’s punishment is being considered a blow to Tamil Nadu CM Stalin. Now by-election is certain to be held on the minister’s seat. It is believed that by-election can be held on the minister’s seat within six months.
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