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Madras High Court quashes Enforcement Directorate case against K. Ponmudi
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News18•13-10-2026, 15:08
Madras High Court quashes Enforcement Directorate case against K. Ponmudi
- •The Madras High Court has officially quashed the Prevention of Money Laundering Act case filed against former minister K. Ponmudi and others.
- •The case originated from allegations during K. Ponmudi tenure as Minister for Higher Education and Mines and Minerals between 2006 and 2011 regarding excess red sand quarrying in Villupuram district.
- •The Villupuram District Court had previously acquitted all accused in the primary corruption case filed by the DVAC.
- •The bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan ruled that the Enforcement Directorate cannot continue the money laundering proceedings since the primary predicate offence resulted in an acquittal.
Key Questions Answered
The Madras High Court quashed the Prevention of Money Laundering Act case because K. Ponmudi and other accused individuals were already acquitted in the primary red sand scam case, meaning the Enforcement Directorate could no longer continue the prosecution.
During K. Ponmudi's tenure as the Minister for Higher Education and Mines and Minerals between 2006 and 2011, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption accused him of quarrying red sand beyond permitted limits in Villupuram district, which caused a government loss of Rs. 28,36,40,600.
The Villupuram District Court acquitted all the accused individuals, including K. Ponmudi and his son Gautham Sigamani, delivering its verdict in April.
