'Concerned About The Conduct': Supreme Court Gives Overnight Deadline To Governor R N Ravi On DMK Minister Reinstatement

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (21 March), has given Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi overnight to make a decision regarding the reinstatement of DMK leader K Ponmudy as a minister.

The apex court stated that it would deliver a judgment on Friday (22 March) concerning his conduct in the matter.

Expressing concerns over the Tamil Nadu Governor's actions, the Bench accused him of "defying the Supreme Court of India."

“Mr Attorney General, we are seriously concerned about the conduct of the governor. We did not want to say it out loud in court but he is defying the Supreme Court of India. Those who have advised him have not advised him properly. Now the governor has to be informed that when the Supreme Court stays a conviction, it stays a conviction,” the bench said.

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As reported, the governor had refused to re-induct Ponmudi, whose conviction and three-year sentence in a disproportionate assets case was stayed by the apex court recently.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister M K Stalin, Governor Ravi had highlighted that while the Supreme Court had suspended Ponmudy's conviction, it did not overturn it.

Ponmudy, who was convicted by the Madras High Court in a corruption case, was granted relief by the Supreme Court, allowing him to resume his duties as a legislator by suspending the sentence and staying the conviction.

Subsequently, the DMK government urged the governor to administer the oath of office to Ponmudy as the Higher Education Minister, a position he held before the conviction.

The state government argued that the governor had overstepped his authority by suggesting that Ponmudy was "tainted by corruption" and that his appointment would violate "constitutional morality."

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