New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the disproportionate assets (DA) case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, his wife, and in-laws.
A Bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice SVN Bhatti issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Police and original complainants, seeking their responses to an appeal by Panneerselvam challenging the Madras High Court’s decision to reinstate the case.
The case dates back to 2006 when the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered charges of disproportionate assets against Panneerselvam and his kin.
In December 2012, the Sivaganga Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court allowed the DVAC to withdraw the case.
However, in October 2024, Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court overturned this withdrawal, questioning DVAC’s earlier findings that OPS possessed assets exceeding 374% of his known income.
The High Court also directed the trial to proceed in the Principal Sessions Court in Madurai, designated for cases against legislators, and cautioned that bail granted to the accused could be revoked if they attempted to delay proceedings.
Senior Advocates Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sidharth Luthra, Mukul Rohatgi, and S Nagamuthu represented the accused in the Supreme Court.
This case forms part of Justice Venkatesh’s suo motu review of several cases involving state legislators, including acquittals of other Tamil Nadu ministers.
The apex court had earlier stayed the reopening of cases in related matters.
