HC suspends order imprisoning former TN Assembly Speaker

HC suspends order imprisoning former TN Assembly Speaker
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Chennai, April 6: The Madras High Court today suspended implementation of a special judge's order sentencing former Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker Sedapatti R Muthiah and his two sons to 25 months rigorous imprisonment each for amassing unaccountable wealth to the tune of Rs 45.74 lakh between 1991 and 1996.

Giving the interim direction on separate appeals filed by Muthiah and his sons -- Arivazhagan and Manimaran -- challenging Special Judge S Sambandam's order on March 8, convicting and sentencing them, Justice I David Christian directed them to furnish personal bonds for Rs. 5000 each with two sureties each for like amounts.

The judge also ordered notice to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, returnable in three weeks.

In his appeal, Muthiah, AIADMK treasurer and former Union Minister, contended that the entire verdict of the trial judge, who had not examined certain witnesses despite the supreme court permitting it, was invalid. The non-examination of loanees and persons who had given gifts to his daughters on certain occasions, had affected the defence case adversely, he said.

The trial judge had suspended implementation of the sentence till April 10 to enable Muthiah and his sons to appeal to the High Court against their conviction.