Two Tamil Nadu Ministers Face Setback in Disproportionate Assets Cases

Chennai:

The Madras High Court has nullified the acquittal of two Tamil Nadu ministers in disproportionate assets cases and instructed a lower court to establish charges against them. The lower court has also been directed to conduct trial on a daily basis.

The cases against Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, both senior DMK leaders, were initiated in 2011 and 2012 – during the AIADMK regime.

They were absolved by a Special Court based on supplementary reports submitted by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption after the DMK assumed power.

Justice Anand Venkatesh took on the case on his own and annulled the acquittal orders. The two ministers will now have to face trial for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

The trial court has been instructed to expedite the proceedings, with the High Court emphasizing the importance of a speedy trial. The case has generated interest in the state, with many observing the developments closely.

The judge also observed that DVAC officials had colluded to ensure the criminal trials against the two ministers were “secretly and improperly buried within the confines of the Special Court.”

Mr Ramachandran has been instructed to appear before the Special Court on September 9 while Mr Thennarasu has to appear before it on September 11.

The judge also clarified that he has “not assessed or remarked upon the merits of the case”.

There has been a trend of former ministers – being investigated over disproportionate assets – being acquitted after a change in leadership in Tamil Nadu. Similar cases are pending against former AIADMK Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and former AIADMK minister Valarmathi.