Tamil Nadu Minister K. Ponmudy and Sons in Court for Illegal Red Sand Quarrying
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Synopsis
On March 19, Tamil Nadu's Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and his sons appeared in court regarding allegations of illegal red sand quarrying, with Ponmudy seeking exemption from personal court appearances due to his ministerial duties. The case traces back to 2012, involving significant financial misconduct.
Key Takeaways
- Ponmudy and his sons are accused of illegal quarrying.
- They appeared in court as part of an ongoing investigation.
- The case dates back to 2012, involving substantial financial losses.
- The ED is investigating money laundering allegations against them.
- Properties linked to Gautham Sigamani were seized in 2020.
Chennai, March 19 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and his two sons -- Gautham Sigamani, a Lok Sabha MP from Kallakurichi, and Ashok Sigamani, president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association-- appeared before a special court on Wednesday regarding an illegal red sand quarrying case.
The trio, named as accused, appeared before the Additional Special Judge for CBI cases, S. Ezhil Velavan.
During the hearings, Ponmudy submitted a petition under Section 205 of the CrPC, requesting an exemption from further personal court appearances due to his duties as a minister and deputy general secretary of the DMK.
The judge instructed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to the petition, with Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh representing the ED.
This case traces back to 2012 when the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a complaint against Ponmudy, alleging he facilitated illegal red sand quarrying in Villupuram. The charges assert that from February 13, 2007, to May 15, 2007, while serving as Minister for Mines and Minerals, Ponmudy assisted his son, family members, and close associates in exploiting red sand quarries without proper authorization, allegedly causing a loss of Rs 28.36 crore to the Tamil Nadu state exchequer.
In 2023, the ED initiated a money laundering case against Ponmudy, Gautham Sigamani, and four others based on the initial DVAC FIR.
As part of the investigation, the ED executed raids at several locations associated with Ponmudy, including properties in Chennai and Villupuram, and educational institutions operated by his family.
Ponmudy was later summoned and interrogated at the ED office in Chennai. Following the raids and questioning, Ponmudy and Gautham Sigamani reported to ED officials at the Joint Director’s Office in Nungambakkam, Chennai.
The agency interrogated them over two consecutive days, during which they received written questionnaires, and their responses were documented.
The ED subsequently filed a 90-page charge sheet, outlining how Ponmudy allegedly exploited his position from 2007 to 2009 to allocate red sand quarries to his son and relatives without remitting the requisite seigniorage fee.
The agency claims this led to substantial financial losses for the state. Moreover, in 2020, the ED seized properties worth Rs 8.6 crore belonging to Gautham Sigamani, linking them to illicit financial activities, including the non-repatriation of foreign exchange earnings. The agency also discovered evidence indicating that the DMK MP invested Rs 7.5 lakh in the UAE and Rs 41 lakh in a company based in Indonesia.
As the case advances, the court is awaiting the ED’s reply to Ponmudy’s petition for exemption from personal court appearances, while the investigation into the alleged illegal quarrying and financial misconduct is ongoing.
