DMK to move Supreme Court against revision of ministers' acquittals
Tamil Nadu's ruling party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is planning to approach the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court's decision to revise the acquittal of state ministers in corruption cases.
Tamil Nadu's ruling party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is planning to approach the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court's decision to revise the acquittal of state ministers in corruption cases.
The organising secretary of DMK, RS Bharati, alleged that the High Court judge is "picking and choosing" cases involving DMK leaders and said that the party will be moving to the top court.
Recently, the single bench of Justice Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court took up suo motu revision of orders discharging DMK ministers KKSSR Ramachandran, Thangam Thennarasu, and K Ponmudy in separate disproportionate asset cases.
Ponmudy and Ramachandran were acquitted in June and July this year respectively, and Thennarasu was discharged in December 2022 by the district courts.
"We are not saying the judge doesn't have the powers to take up suo moto revision. But that discretion must not be with a malafide intention," the senior DMK leader said.
Bharati also pointed out that the same judge, Justice Anand Venkatesh, dismissed a plea filed by him seeking a probe against the former Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Edappadi Palaniswami over alleged irregularities in awarding the tender for highway work.
The DMK leader also said that Justice Anand Venkatesh had stated that political parties were using the court as a "playground to settle scores" while dismissing his plea against Palaniswami.
He also alleged that opposition leaders like O Panneerselvam and Natham Viswanathan were acquitted recently by lower courts in corruption cases, yet they continue to be Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Justice Anand Venkatesh handles the portfolio of cases against MPs and MLAs. The hearing of the cases against the ministers has been fixed for September 7.
