Can Ponmudy be reinstated? Govt studying after SC stay

CHENNAI: With the Supreme Court on Monday staying the conviction and sentence of former minister and senior DMK leader K Ponmudy in a disproportionate asset (DA) case, the State’s top officials have begun consultations with legal luminaries regarding the verdict and its implication over the status of Ponmudy – whether he will continue as a MLA or not.

A bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka and comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan suspended the conviction and three years imprisonment imposed on the former minister. However, the bench refused to suspend the conviction of P Visalatchi, wife of Ponmudy. Further, the bench also directed Visalatchi to approach a special court for bail.

The judgment is seen as a major interim relief for the DMK strongman based in Villupuram. According to secretariat sources, the election department recently notified the Tirukovilur assembly seat as vacant after the Madras High Court convicted the sitting MLA Ponmudy.

Now with the Supreme Court staying the verdict, the state officials have started exploring whether Ponmudy can return to the assembly as MLA or even get back to the state cabinet as minister.

“His MLA position will be restored, just like Rahul Gandhi. But if he is inducted as a minister, whether TN Governor Ravi will administer the oath of office is doubtful,” opined retired judge Justice K Chandru, when contacted. “But there will be a tussle. In Senthilbalaji’s case, the Governor quickly retrieved his action of dismissal. While that is expulsion, this is inclusion. The Governor has no option except to administer the oath in case of inclusion. If he (the Governor) does not do so, they (the State) must explore alternative methods,” Chandru added.

If he is inducted as a minister, whether Governor R Ravi will administer the oath of office is doubtful —K Chandru, Retired High Court judge