A bench said since the top court is examining the appeal of the minister and the proceedings in the matter need to be stayed.
Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy
The Supreme Court on Monday, 8 April stayed till further orders the proceedings in a corruption case against Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra said since the top court is examining the appeal of the minister, who has challenged a 26 February Madras High Court order that set aside the trial court order discharging him in the case, the proceedings in the matter need to be stayed.
In an application filed through advocate Ram Sankar, Periyasamy sought the apex court’s direction for deferment of trial and exemption from personal appearance in the graft case before a Chennai court.
The Supreme Court, on 11 March, suspended the conviction and a three-year sentence of DMK leader K Ponmudy by the Madras High Court in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.
The apex court pronounced its order over the plea filed by Ponmudy and his wife against the high court order convicting them.
The court also suspended the sentence of Ponmudy’s wife but refused to stay her conviction.
The bench, comprised of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, directed that Ponmudi shall appear before the Special Court and complete the bail formalities within a period of 1 month.
The order also paved the way for Ponmudy to get reinstated as a state minister. The decision of Chief Minister MK Stalin to reinstate him as a minister was approved by the state Governor after the apex court’s direction.
(With PTI inputs)
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