VILLUPURAM: In a major relief for DMK former minister K Ponmudi, a special court for trial of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act acquitted him and his wife Visalatchi from a disproportionate assets case, in Villupuram on Monday.
Passing the verdict, judge T Sundaramorthy said that the public prosecutor failed to prove the allegations that Ponmudi and his wife amassed `1.75 crore, disproportionate to their their known sources of income, during his tenure as a minister.
Speaking to mediapersons after the judgment, a jubilant Ponmudi said, “The judgment proved that the complaint was lodged against me with mala fide intention.”
High Court lawyer Shanmugam Velayutham had appeared on behalf of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing, whereas T S Subramaniyan, Raja and Sherif represented Ponmudi.
The Villupuram District Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Wing registered a case against Ponmudi and his wife in 2011 for misusing his power and allegedly amassing `1.75 crore worth assets between April 2006 and March 2010, when he was serving as the Minister of Higher Education.
The trial of the case was initially conducted at the Villupuram Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. In 2014, the case was transferred to special court for trial of cases under Prevention of Corruption Act.
A total of 39 witnesses, including revenue department officials from Andra Pradesh, where Ponmudi had allegedly bought some assets, were examined.
hough the acquittal has come as a relief for Ponmudi, who is contesting as the DMK candidate in Tirukoilur constitency this election, two more cases - disproportionate assets and red sand quarry - are pending against him. The trial of both the cases are going on in the same court. The verdict for red sand quarry case is expected on May 3.