TN: Backward Classes Minister given Higher Education portfolio previously held by K. Ponmudi

Backward Classes Welfare Minister R.S. Rajakannappan received the Higher Education portfolio previously held by K. Ponmudi after the Tamil Nadu governor approved the CM MK Stalin's recommendation.

In a disproportionate assets case, the Madras High Court today sentenced K Ponmudy to three years in prison and fined him and his wife Rs 50 lakh apiece.

The Madras High Court on Thursday sentenced Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy and his wife P Visalaksh to three years simple imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case under the Prevention of Corruption Act , and a fine of Rs 50 lakhs each was imposed on the duo in connection with the case.

If they fail to pay fine, they must undergo six more months of imprisonment, the court said.

Earlier, the court had already convicted Ponmudy and his wife in the case. However, the sentence was pronounced by Justice G
Jayachandran today.

Senior advocate NR Ellango, representing the accused, had pleaded the court to grant leave to enable them to file Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court and also to suspend the sentence, news agency PTI reported.

Consequently, the presiding judge in the hearing suspended the sentence for 30 days since Ponmudy is currently serving as minister of higher education.

Upon completion of the duration of suspension, both Ponmudy and his wife will have to surrender before the trial court in Villupuram, the judge reportedly said.

According to legal experts, Ponmudy's conviction and his subsequent prison term will lead to his disqualification from the post of MLA and he also stands to lose his current post as a minister.