The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed proceedings before a special court in Tamil Nadu against DMK leader and state minister I Periyasamy and his family members in a disproportionate assets case involving alleged wealth of ₹2.1 crore.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih, while hearing Periyasamy’s appeal, issued notice in the matter and directed that proceedings before the Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Special Judge for Prevention of Corruption Act Cases, Dindigul, remain stayed. The appeal challenges a Madras High Court ruling of April 28 which had directed the framing of charges against Periyasamy, his wife, and their two sons.
The case stems from allegations that Periyasamy, during his tenure as minister between 2006 and 2010, accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) alleged that the wealth, valued at ₹2.1 crore, was held in his name as well as in the names of his wife P. Suseela and sons P. Sentilkumar and P. Prabhu.
Initially, a lower court had discharged Periyasamy and his family members from the case. However, the DVAC challenged this order in 2018 by filing appeals before the Madras High Court. On April 28, the High Court overturned the discharge order, directing the special court to conduct a day-to-day trial and conclude proceedings within six months.
Periyasamy, who currently serves as Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Rural Development, Panchayats, and Panchayat Union, approached the apex court against the High Court’s directive. The Supreme Court’s stay now halts the imminent framing of charges and trial until further consideration.
