Justice N Anand Venkatesh Refuses To Recuse From Hearing Suo Moto Revision Of DMK Minister Ponmudy's Acquittal In Disproportionate Assets Case

Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court today (14 September) refused to recuse from hearing the suo moto revision of the acquittal of K Ponmudy, the Higher Education minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government, who was acquitted by the Principal District Court in Vellore, in a disproportionate assets case.

During the last hearing, Ponmudy and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) had requested Justice Venkatesh not to hear the case further as he had made strong remarks in the matter. It was also stated that the suo moto revision had come up before the end of the appeal period.

When asked whether the DVAC planned to appeal against the acquittal, its counsel said, “We are processing it and examining it.”

Justice Venkatesh had then said he would inform them about his decision on 14 September.

In his orders, while issuing notice to the accused and the DVAC, Justice Venkatesh had stated that the case had been transferred through administrative orders and not judicial orders.

He also wondered how the Principal District Judge in Vellore could have managed to write a 226 page judgement in a span of four days and retire a few days later.

Also Read: "A Manifest Illegality By A Criminal Court"- Madras HC's Scathing Remarks As It Takes Up Suo Moto Revision Of DMK Minister Ponmudy's Acquittal From DA Case