Villupuram court to deliver verdict in sand quarrying case against Ponmudy, others on April 2

A local court in Villupuram will pronounce its verdict in a red sand quarrying case, which was registered against former Minister K. Ponmudy, his son, and aides, on April 2. Villupuram Principal District Judge A. Manimozhi will pronounce the verdict in the case.

The case relates to the illegal quarrying of red sand in Villupuram, when Mr. Ponmudy served as the Minister for Mines and Minerals between 2007 and 2011. He was booked in connection with the allotment of a red sand quarry at Poothurai village in Vanur block to his son Gowtham Sigamani and five others.

The prosecution had invoked provisions of the Tamil Nadu Minor Minerals Concession Act and Prevention of Corruption Act, besides sections pertaining to criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and cheating under the Indian Penal Code.

The District Crime Branch (DCB) alleged that the lessees had indulged in gross violation of rules governing minor minerals. After surveying the quarry in September 2012, the then Vanur Tahsildar filed a complaint with the DCB alleging that the lessees had reportedly excavated beyond permissible limits, thereby illegally prospecting 2,46,646 units of red sand, causing a loss of ₹28.37 crore to the exchequer.

Loganathan, one of the accused, died during the course of the trial. The prosecution listed 57 witnesses, of whom 33 turned hostile. The examination of prosecution witnesses concluded in October last year. With arguments from both sides completed, the judge announced the verdict in the case would be pronounced on April 2. The judge also directed the DCB to ensure that all accused are present on that day.