Chennai, Apr 3:
A local court in Villupuram district on Thursday acquitted former Tamil Nadu Minister K. Ponmudy, his son Gautam Sigamani, and five others in a Rs 28.36 crore illegal red sand quarrying case.
Delivering the verdict, Principal District Judge A. Manimozhi acquitted all seven accused due to lack of evidence. The other accused included Jayachandran, Raja Mahendran, Sadanandam, Kodhakumar, and Gopinathan.
The case pertained to alleged illegal quarrying of red sand beyond permitted limits during Ponmudy’s tenure as Mines Minister between 2006 and 2011. The quarry at Poothurai village in Vanur block had been allotted to his son and others.
According to the prosecution, excessive quarrying had resulted in a loss of Rs 28.36 crore to the State exchequer. The case involved charges under the Tamil Nadu Minor Minerals Concession Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, and various IPC sections including conspiracy and cheating.
The District Crime Branch had cited 57 witnesses, of whom 33 turned hostile during trial. Following completion of arguments, the court reserved its verdict before acquitting all the accused.