The Madras High Court has refused advance bail to former DMK minister K Ponmudi and three others, who apprehended arrest for offences under various sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, TN Minor Mineral Concession Rule, Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC.
According to a complaint lodged by the Vanur Tahsildar on September 22 this year, Ponmudi, as the minister of Mines and Minerals during 2007, misused his official powers, granted mining licence to his son and his close relatives and they violated the licence conditions and excavated sand excessively, thereby causing a loss of over Rs 28 crore to the exchequer.
The accused stated that the mining was done only in patta lands and the same could not be construed as an offence.
Accepting the argument of Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan, Justice G M Akbar Ali said the gravity of the offence was enormous and considering the status of the petitioners, who were influential persons, they might tamper with the witness and that they might also abscond.