![3-Year Jail For Senior Tamil Nadu Minister In Corruption Case 3-Year Jail For Senior Tamil Nadu Minister In Corruption Case](https://c.ndtvimg.com/2023-07/4u53vab8_k-ponmudy-ed-office-650_625x300_17_July_23.jpg)
K Ponmudy need not surrender yet since his jail term has been suspended for 30 days. (File)
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu minister K Pondmudy was on Thursday awarded three years in jail in a corruption case. The Madras High Court had set aside a trial court order two days ago to convict the DMK leader and his wife in a Rs 1.75-crore disproportionate assets case.
But he need not surrender yet since his jail term has been suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal his conviction in the Supreme Court.
Mr Ponmudy ceases to be a minister after his conviction and his higher education portfolio is likely to be handed over to another cabinet colleague.
Under the law, members of the legislatures are disqualified from either the parliament or the assembly if they are convicted by a court.
Justice G Jayachandran pointed to overwhelming evidence against him while setting aside the unsustainable reasons given by the trial court for his acquittal. The judge called the trial court’s judgment palpably wrong, which made it a fit case for the appellate court’ interference.
His sentencing came a day after Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi demanded that Chief Minister MK Stalin drop him from his cabinet, according to sources.
The case dates back to the DMK’s 2006-2011 regime when the convicted leader had accumulated over Rs 1.36 crore in assets. It was brought to the court by the rival AIADMK, which came to power in 2011.
The case has led to another flashpoint between the Tamil Nadu government and the Governor in recent days. The two sides are locked in conflict in the Supreme Court after the ruling DMK accused Mr Ravi of deliberately delaying clearing bills passed by the state Assembly.
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Tamil Nadu minister K Pondmudy has been sentenced to three years in jail in a corruption case. The Madras High Court overturned a trial court’s order to convict the DMK leader and his wife in a Rs 1.75-crore disproportionate assets case. However, Ponmudy will not have to surrender immediately as his jail term has been suspended for 30 days, allowing him to appeal his conviction in the Supreme Court. He will cease to be a minister after his conviction, and his higher education portfolio is expected to be handed over to another cabinet colleague. The case dates back to the DMK’s 2006-2011 regime, and it was brought to court by the rival AIADMK party, which came to power in 2011. The sentencing comes after Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi demanded that Chief Minister MK Stalin drop Ponmudy from his cabinet. The case has also sparked conflict between the Tamil Nadu government and the Governor, as they are currently in a dispute in the Supreme Court over the clearing of bills passed by the state Assembly.