Madras High Court Issues Notice in DMK Minister’s Plea to Quash Disproportionate Assets Cases
The Madras High Court issues notice on petitions filed by Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam to quash disproportionate assets cases
The Madras High Court on Tuesday issued notice on petitions filed by Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam seeking to quash two disproportionate assets cases pending against him.
The petitions came up before the bench of Justice N. Sathish Kumar, who granted exemption from personal appearance to the minister in the trial court while ordering notice to the State.
Senior advocate Dr. S. Muralidhar, assisted by advocate Namit Saxena, appeared for the petitioner.
The cases arise from two FIRs of 2004 and 2011, registered against Panneerselvam during earlier political regimes. While he was initially discharged by the trial court, the High Court, on revision petitions filed during the AIADMK government’s tenure, had earlier this year directed that charges be framed and the trial conducted on a day-to-day basis within six months. His challenge before the Supreme Court was withdrawn with liberty to raise contentions before the appropriate forum.
Challenging the continuation of proceedings, the minister has now filed fresh petitions under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, terming the criminal cases an abuse of process.
The matter will be heard next after the State files its response.
M.R.K. Panneerselvam is a sitting minister in the Government of Tamil Nadu from the DMK government and is holding the portfolio as Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of Tamil Nadu.
Panneerselvam, who held the health portfolio in the DMK government between 2006 and 2011, along with his family, was accused of amassing disproportionate assets amounting to Rs. 1.34 crore during 1996–2001 and Rs. 2.97 crore in the 2006–2011 period.
In 2013, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a chargesheet under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, relying on 60 witnesses and 111 documents. The chief judicial magistrate discharged the accused in 2016, a decision later contested by the DVAC after the AIADMK came to power.
Case Title: M.R.K. Panneerselvam And 2 Others Vs The State Of Tamil Nadu
Hearing Date: September 23, 2025
Bench: Justice N. Sathish Kumar