A Chennai court on Tuesday sentenced MDMK MLA Dr. T. Sadhan Thirumalaikumar to two years’ imprisonment in a cheque bounce case, in a significant legal development involving the Vasudevanallur legislator.The verdict was delivered by the George Town Court, which found the charges against the MLA proven beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the court has suspended the sentence for two months to allow him time to appeal the decision in a higher court.
Thirumalaikumar, who represents the Vasudevanallur constituency in Tenkasi district, had taken a Rs 1 crore loan in 2016 from New Link Overseas Finance Company in Royapettah to develop his business. To repay the loan, he issued two cheques of Rs 50 lakh each, which were later dishonoured due to insufficient funds in his bank account.
The finance company’s director filed a cheque dishonour case in 2019. Because Thirumalaikumar is an elected representative, the case was transferred from the Egmore court to the special court for cases involving MPs and MLAs, and subsequently to the George Town Court in Chennai.
In addition to the jail term, the court has ordered the MLA to pay the full loan amount of Rs 1 crore within two months. If he fails to do so, he may face an additional three months of imprisonment.
Legal experts say that under the Representation of the People Act, a conviction and sentence of two years or more could lead to disqualification from the assembly, although the suspension period may affect the timing of any such action.
Thirumalaikumar has the right to appeal the conviction, and the case is expected to move to a higher court in the coming weeks.