Madras High Court Overturns Acquittal of TN Minister Duraimurugan in Assets Case

Synopsis

The Madras High Court has annulled the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Minister Duraimurugan in a disproportionate assets case, ordering the Vellore Special Court to complete the trial within six months. This decision follows a review petition by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

Key Takeaways

Madras High Court overturned Duraimurugan's acquittal.
Case initiated by DVAC in 2002.
Assets worth over Rs 3.92 crore alleged disproportionate.
Trial must be concluded within six months.
Defense contended flaws in the investigation.

Chennai, April 23 (NationPress) The Madras High Court has overturned the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Minister Duraimurugan and his family concerning a disproportionate assets case, instructing the Vellore Special Court to finalize the trial within six months.

The case was initiated in 2002 by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), accusing Duraimurugan—who held the position of Public Works Minister from 1996 to 2001—of accumulating assets exceeding Rs 3.92 crore that were disproportionate to his known earnings.

The Vellore Special Court had previously acquitted Duraimurugan, along with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and brother, in a ruling delivered in 2007.

A review petition contesting the acquittal was lodged in 2013 during the AIADMK administration. Justice Velmurugan presided over the review.

During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General Ravindran presented the FIR and chargesheet, arguing that the acquittal was unjustified.

Representing Duraimurugan was senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, while senior advocate P. Wilson defended the minister’s relatives.

The defense maintained that the DVAC erroneously merged the personal and business revenues of the other defendants with the minister’s income. They also claimed that some properties listed in the charges were acquired before the pertinent timeframe and that there was inadequate proof indicating that the minister’s relatives acted as his proxies.

All defendants provided legitimate income tax returns, which were approved by the relevant authorities.

Furthermore, the defense challenged the validity of the investigation, asserting that it was carried out by an officer lacking the necessary rank and without appropriate legal authorization. These arguments were pivotal in the original trial court’s acquittal.

However, after evaluating arguments from both parties, the High Court accepted the DVAC’s review petition. Justice Velmurugan annulled the 2007 acquittal, instructing the Vellore Special Court to establish charges, interview witnesses, and conclude the trial within six months.