Tamil Nadu: DMK Minister K Ponmudy Acquitted In Land Grabbing Case; 'Prosecution Could Not Prove It Beyond Reasonable Doubt', Says Judge

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy has been acquitted in a land-grabbing case by a special court that handles cases involving MPs and MLAs.

Special Judge G Jayavel reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution and concluded that they were unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

As a result, Ponmudy along with six others, have been acquitted.

The prosecution alleged that Ponmudy had illegally acquired 3,630 sq. ft. of government land in Chennai's Saidapet area between 1996 and 2001 when he served as the Transport Minister in the DMK regime and registered it in the name of his mother-in-law.

The case against Ponmudy and nine others was filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

Ponmudy's mother-in-law and two others passed away during the course of the case.

The acquittal comes a few days after he and his wife were acquitted in a dispropotionate assets case that was registered by the DVAC.

In June, the Madras High Court refused to stay further proceedings in a case against him for allegedly misusing his position as Minister for Mines and Mineral Resources between 2007 and 2011, to secure red sand quarrying licenses for his son P Gowthamsigamani and others.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Fresh Trouble For Ruling DMK As Illegal Red Sand Quarrying Scam Comes Back To Haunt DMK Minister Ponmudy, MP Son