Madras High Court has directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to provide a reply regarding the discharge of Minister K Ponmudy from a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case by the Vellore court. The case was brought before Justice G Jayachandran, who questioned the status of the case registered by DVAC after Ponmudy was discharged by the lower court.
During the proceedings, Additional Public Prosecutor Babu Muthu Meeran, representing DVAC, informed the court that the agency is currently scrutinizing the order issued by the Vellore court and requested time to gather further details. Following this submission, Justice G Jayachandran scheduled the next hearing for November 27.
Senior counsel R Basant, representing the former principal judge of the Vellore court who acquitted Ponmudy from the DA case, also sought time to initiate arguments. However, the judge declined the request, citing the Supreme Court’s directive for High Courts to monitor and ensure the prompt disposal of cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs).
Senior counsel NR Elango, representing Minister Ponmudy, argued that the transfer of the case from the Villupuram court to the Vellore court was not carried out at his client’s request. Furthermore, he claimed that the court had not informed Ponmudy about the transfer.