Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy, Wife Sent To 3 Years In Jail, Fined Rs 50 Lakh Each

New Delhi: The Madras High Court on Thursday sent Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister and DMK leader K Ponmudy and his wife P Visalakshi to three years in prison under the Prevention of Corruption Act, in a Rs 1.75 crore disproportionate assets case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50 Lakh on both the accused.

As per the order, if Ponmudy and his wife fail to pay the fine, they will have to undergo six more months of imprisonment. Senior counsel N R Ellango, appearing for the accused, prayed the court to grant leave to enable them to file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court and also to suspend the sentence. The judge granted leave for 30 days and also suspended the sentence for 30 days. On completion of the duration of the suspension, they have to surrender before the trial court in Villupuram, the judge added.