The Madras High Court issued notice to the State of Tamil Nadu on petitions filed by M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, seeking to quash two disproportionate assets cases pending against him.
Justice N. Sathish Kumar, presiding over the matter, granted exemption from personal appearance to Minister Panneerselvam at the trial court and directed issuance of notice to the State.
The cases arise out of two FIRs registered in 2004 and 2011 against Panneerselvam during previous Tamil Nadu political regimes. While he had initially been discharged by the trial court, the High Court, acting on revision petitions filed during the AIADMK government, earlier this year ordered that charges be framed and trial conducted expeditiously. An earlier challenge before the Supreme Court was withdrawn with liberty to raise legal contentions before appropriate forums.
In the present petitions under Section 528 BNSS, Panneerselvam has sought quashing of the proceedings, describing the criminal cases as an abuse of process. The disproportionate assets allegations relate to amounts of ₹1.34 crore (1996–2001) and ₹2.97 crore (2006–2011). In 2013, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed chargesheets, relying on extensive witness and documentary evidence.
The High Court will consider the matter after the State files its response. Exemption from personal appearance for the minister will remain in force until further orders. The next hearing has been scheduled for 28 October 2025.
Appearances:
For the Petitioner: Senior advocate Dr. S. Muralidhar, Advocate Namit Saxena