Ramachandran and Thangam Thenarasu have to face trial in the cases registered against them by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
Published Aug 07, 2024 | 1:15 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 07, 2024 | 1:15 PM
Tamil Nadu Ministers KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thenarasu.
Setting aside trial court orders discharging Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister KKSSR Ramachandran and Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu from disproportionate assets cases, the Madras High Court on Wednesday, 7 August, directed the lower court to frame charges against them and proceed in accordance with the law.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh allowed the writ petition initiated by him against the orders of a Special Court in Viridhunagar district, discharging Ramachandran and Thangam Thenarasu from the disproportionate wealth cases.
Ministers Ramachandran and Thangam Thenarasu have to face trial in the cases registered against them by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
Restoring the cases on the file of the Special Court, the judge said as prima facie materials were available, it shall frame charges against the accused and proceed in accordance with law.
The judge directed Ramachandran to appear before the Special Court on 9 September. Similarly, he directed Thangam Thenarasu to appear before the Special Court on 11 September.
The judge directed the Special Court to conduct the trial in these cases on a day-to-day basis and complete the same as expeditiously as possible.
Invoking his powers under section 397 CrPC, Justice Anand Venkatesh had last year initiated on his own, the criminal revision cases against the two senior DMK leaders.
The court ordered the Srivilliputhur Special Court to file a charge sheet in the disproportionate assets case and begin the examination of witnesses. The Srivilliputhur Court was also ordered by the Madras High Court to conduct daily hearings.
According to the prosecution, Ramachandran is currently serving as the revenue minister and was the minister for Backward Welfare during the DMK regime from 2006 to 2011.
In 2012, the anti-corruption police registered a case against Ramachandran, his wife Adilakshmi P Visalakshi and his friend KSP Shanmugamurthy for accumulating assets in excess of ₹44.56 lakh. In this case, the Srivilliputhur Principal Sessions Court acquitted three persons including Ramachandran in 2022.
The prosecution case against Thangam Thennarasu served as the minister of School Education during the DMK regime from 2006 to 2011.
In 2012, the Virudhunagar District Anti-Corruption Police registered a case against Thangam Tennarasu and his wife T Manimekalai for accumulating assets in excess of their income of ₹76.40 lakh.
(With inputs from Bhaskar P and PTI)
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
