Following V Senthil Balaji’s ED raid and arrest related to the cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as Transport Minister under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) regime, Ponmudy has become the second minister to face scrutiny from the ED.
Earlier this month, Ponmudy was acquitted in a land-grabbing case filed against him and six others by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). The case alleged that he unlawfully acquired government land in Chennai’s Saidapet during his tenure as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Minister between 1996 and 2001.
In 2020, Ponmudy’s son, Gautham Sigamani, also came under the ED’s investigation, resulting in the seizure of properties worth Rs 8.6 crore. Gautham, who is an MP representing the Kallakurichi constituency, faced accusations of illegal acquisition and failure to repatriate foreign exchange earned abroad. The attached assets included agricultural lands, commercial and residential buildings in Tamil Nadu, as well as bank accounts and shares.