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Charges framed against second AIADMK MP in corruption case

A special judge trying corruption cases against the ministers of the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime, today framed charges against former minister and AIADMK MP V Sathiamoorthy and his family members in the disproportionate wealth case against him.

Special judge-II V Radhakrishnan framed charges against Sathiamoorthy, his wife S Chandra, M Thangammal (mother-in-law), V Mayalagu Thevar (father-in law), T Anjali Devi (sister-in-law), P Pushpavalli and S Nagavalli (nieces), and posted the case to April 28 for trial.

The prosecution case was that Sathiamoorthy had amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 8.33 million in his name and in the name of his family members during his tenure as commercial taxes minister in the AIADMK regime.

Framing the charges, the judge said Sathiamoorthy, while discharging his duties as a public servant had acquired assets in the form of movable and immovable properties in his name and in the name of his family members, including his minor son between January 1, 1992 and May 13, 1996, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income. Thereby he had committed an offence of criminal misconduct punishable under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

His family members had abetted Sathiamoorthy in the commission of the misconduct by allowing him to acquire a substantial portion of pecuniary resources and properties. Thus, they had also committed an offence punishable under Section 109 of the IPC read with Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (e) of the PCA, the judge added.

During the day, special judge-I S Sambandam framed charges against Union Surface Transport Minister and former AIADMK speaker in the Tamil Nadu assembly, Sedapatti Muthiah, and his family members in the disproportionate wealth case against him. With this, two AIADMK MPs have had similar charges, of having acquired wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, filed against them on the same day.

UNI

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