On 21 December 2023, the Madras High Court sentenced DMK leader K Ponmudi to three years in jail in a corruption case making him lose his position as Minister and MLA. A fine of ₹50 lakh has also been imposed on him However, he is not required to surrender immediately, as his jail term has been temporarily suspended for 30 days, providing him an opportunity to appeal his conviction in the Supreme Court.
Following the Madras High Court’s verdict, the DMK along with its ally VCK led by Thol. Thirumavalavan have been casting aspersions on the judge who delivered the verdict.
DMK MP and the party’s legal wing secretary NR Elango said “A judge is definitely above suspicion. But by law, he served as the Law Secretary during the AIADMK regime. Back then, he handled the files related to freezing of the assets in this case. This was not known when the case was happening. Ponmudi came to know about it only now. We informed this to the judge but he said that even if he had came to know of this fact earlier, he wouldn’t have recused himself from the case. We will definitely take up that issue in the Supreme Court.”
VCK head and Chidambaram MP too jumped the bandwagon. During a press meet, a reporter asked what was his view on the talks about the judge having been a law secretary during the AIADMK government to which Thirumavalavan said “There is a norm that judges and judgements cannot be criticized. But in the name of justice, be it in Ayodhya or other important cases, grave injustice has been done which cannot be refuted. Recently, the verdict that upheld the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir and abrogation of Article 370 is not above criticism. This case too is being looked at in the same way.” adding that Ponmudi’s case was dismissed in the sessions court.
He further added “This is not a case which was appealed by petitioners. Justice Jeyachandran himself on suo moto heard the case. He was a Law Secretary during the AIADMK government. He was also involved in foisting the case against him (Ponmudi). He was involved in collecting the documents related to the case. It was pointed out in the court too. That time too he said that even if it had been pointed out earlier, he wouldn’t have recused himself from the case. Hence, it is clear from these facts that the judge has ulterior motives. All this will be heard in the Supreme Court I believe.”
Adding further, Thirumavalavan said “The courts are acting biased based on the information we get. The verdict given doesn’t show that it was delivered with honesty. He hearing the case suo motu, the fact that he was involved in collecting the necessary documents regarding the case is now out in the open.”
He further said “Nowadays, there’s a fear that even judges too are being ‘Sanatanized'”.
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