Madras High Court dispenses with the appearance of Minister Duraimurugan
The Madras High Court has temporarily exempted Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan and his wife, D. Shanthakumari, from appearing before a special court in Chennai. The case involves a disproportionate assets charge from 2011.
Justice N. Sathish Kumar issued the interim order following a joint petition from the couple. They had requested the trial be moved from the special court in Chennai to a special court for MP/MLA cases in Vellore, arguing that as a sitting MLA and Minister, Duraimurugan’s case should be heard there. The special court in Chennai had previously denied their request.
After considering arguments from senior counsel P. Wilson, the judge instructed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to submit a detailed response by October 22, explaining their reasons for opposing the transfer.
The DVAC filed the case against the couple in 2011, alleging they had accumulated assets worth ₹1.15 crore beyond their known income between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2009. At that time, Duraimurugan was serving as the Minister for Public Works, Prisons, and Law in former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s cabinet.
Prosecutors claim that the couple’s assets grew from ₹77.46 lakh at the start of this period to ₹2.77 crore by the end, based on their Income Tax returns and other financial documents.