SC stays proceedings against Tamil Nadu minister I Periyasamy in corruption case

New Delhi: In a relief to Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister, I Periyasamy, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the trial court proceedings against him in connection with a corruption case.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra suspended the trial court's proceedings, while agreeing to examine the DMK leader's plea against the Madras High Court's order for initiating the trial against him in the case.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Periyasamy, said that even though the court granted him liberty to apply to the trial court for deferment of the proceedings, the application for it was declined. 

The trial court in Chennai had stated the High Court had ordered it to conclude the matter on or July 31, 2024.

"We are of the view that the trial ordered by the court should not proceed while this court is considering the challenge by the accused. Accordingly, the proceedings is stayed until the next date of the hearing," the apex court said.

The trial court had on March 17, 2023, discharged Periyasamy on the corruption charges, due to lack of evidence. 

But on February 26, 2024, the Madras HC had set aside the discharge order and ordered to initiate the trial against him.   

In his plea, Periyasamy said the sanction required to be obtained from the state governor, who under the law is the competent authority but in his case, the sanction was issued by the State Assembly Speaker, which  was not a valid.

The matter related to the petitioner's act of approval for allotment of a plot of land in favour of Ganesan the personal security officer to then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, during his term as Cabinet Minister for housing and urban development in the DMK government in 2006-2011.