The Supreme Court has temporarily stayed a Madras High Court ruling that reopened a disproportionate wealth case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his family. The High Court had revived the case citing legal concerns over earlier proceedings, but the Supreme Court’s stay halts the trial while considering Panneerselvam’s challenge, impacting Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (Nov 29th) stayed a Madras High Court order that had revived a disproportionate wealth case against expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and seven of his family members.
A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti issued notice on Panneerselvam’s plea challenging the High Court’s ruling.
The case relates to allegations of accumulating wealth disproportionate to known sources of income during Panneerselvam’s tenure as a public servant. The Madras High Court, in its order dated October 29, 2023, had set aside a 2012 order by the Chief Judicial Magistrate/Special Judge, Sivaganga, which had permitted the prosecution to withdraw from the case and had discharged the accused.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court reinstated the trial and noted that since two of the accused had passed away in the intervening years, the proceedings against them would stand abated. However, the trial against the remaining accused, including Panneerselvam, was ordered to continue.
The High Court emphasized that the earlier withdrawal of the case lacked sufficient legal grounding, warranting a fresh examination of the charges.
The Supreme Court, while staying the High Court’s order, did not delve into the merits of the case. Instead, it provided interim relief to Panneerselvam by halting the trial’s restoration until further notice. This stay gives the former Chief Minister temporary reprieve as the apex court considers his petition.
The allegations center on accusations that Panneerselvam and his family amassed wealth beyond their lawful means. The 2012 order by the Special Judge had effectively closed the case by allowing the prosecution’s withdrawal request. However, the High Court’s October 29 ruling reopened the matter, citing procedural and substantive concerns with the earlier dismissal.
The case now awaits further hearings in the Supreme Court, which will examine the legality of the High Court’s decision to reinstate the trial.
This development is significant for Tamil Nadu politics, as Panneerselvam has been a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape. The case’s outcome could have wider implications for his political career and the AIADMK’s ongoing internal dynamics.
The Supreme Court’s stay order ensures that no immediate proceedings will take place in the trial court, pending its detailed scrutiny of the case. The next steps in the legal process will likely shape the trajectory of this high-profile case.
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