In a significant judicial development, the Madras High Court on Monday instructed a Special Court in Dindigul district to frame charges against Tamil Nadu Minister I Periyasamy and his family over allegations of accumulating Rs 2.1 crore in disproportionate assets. The directive from Justice P Velmurugan came as a response to revision petitions filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), which contested a previous ruling that had exonerated Periyasamy and his relatives.
This ruling overturns the Special Court’s earlier decision to discharge Periyasamy, along with his wife P Suseela, and sons P Sentilkumar and P Prabhu, citing insufficient evidence to proceed with the case. The DVAC’s challenge brought the matter back into the judicial fold, highlighting discrepancies in the asset accumulation by Periyasamy during his tenure as Minister from 2006 to 2010.
Justice Velmurugan’s order emphasizes the necessity of a swift and thorough examination of the facts, mandating that the trial be conducted on a daily basis and concluded within six months. This accelerated timeline underscores the court’s urgency in addressing cases of alleged corruption involving public officials.
