Special Court serves chargesheet to DMK MP

A special court in Chennai has served a chargesheet to Member of Parliament Gautham Sigamani under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case, initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), revolves around allegations stemming from Gautham Sigamani’s association with illegal quarrying activities. The legal proceedings took place before Special Judge T Malarvalantina, who is presiding over cases related to MPs and MLAs. Gautham Sigamani, along with four others, appeared before the judge, where the ED’s chargesheet was presented. The hearing of the case has been adjourned to December 22. The roots of this legal saga trace back to 2012 when the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered a complaint against Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department minister K Ponmudy. The allegations implicated Ponmudy in aiding his son, Gautham Sigamani, and other associates in the illegal quarrying of red sand in Villupuram during Ponmudy’s tenure as the minister for Mines and Minerals from February 13, 2007, to May 15, 2007. The complaint suggested that Ponmudy, wielding his ministerial powers, had engaged in the unauthorized quarrying of red sand, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 28.36 crore to the Tamil Nadu exchequer. The ED subsequently filed a case against Ponmudy and his son based on the DVAC complaint. In the course of the investigation, ED sleuths conducted raids on properties owned by Ponmudy in Chennai and Villupuram. Ponmudy was also questioned at the ED office in Chennai in connection with the case. @@@