Twitter
Advertisement

Former AIADMK minister acquitted in saree distribution case

The Madras High Court today acquitted former AIADMK minister E Madhusudhanan and five others in the free saree and dhoti scam case.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin
The Madras High Court today acquitted former AIADMK minister E Madhusudhanan and five others in the free saree and dhoti scam case, pertaining to purchase of alleged inferior quality clothes for distribution to poor people for Pongal festival when Jayalalithaa was chief minister.

Setting aside the trial court's March 2000 order, convicting former Social Welfare minister Madhusudhanan and the others, justice M Jeyapaul held that the prosecution could not establish beyond reasonable doubt, the charges levelled against the accused persons.

"The trial court has misdirected itself and come to the wrong decision that A1 to A6 (six accused) committed the offences charged against them", the judge held.

Observing that there was no direct evidence let in by the prosecution to establish that the accused had conspired and committed an offence under Section 120(B) IPC, the Judge said as far as the former minister was concerned, there was no evidence to show that he was in any way involved in selecting the suppliers.

The judge said it had to be held that the charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal misconduct by abusing his official position as public servant and abetment to commit breach of trust against Madhusudhanan was not proved by the prosecution.

The judge said the crime branch-CID had failed to establish if Madhusudhanan violated any procedure, norms or government instructions and thereby committed criminal breach of trust by causing a loss to the state Textile Corporation.

"It is found that the file was sent to the state governor for sanction with a preconceived opinion that it is a fit case to accord sanction", the judge said.

Stating that as far as selection of suppliers was concerned, "there is dearth of evidence to prove that Madhusudhanan played a pivotal role', the judge pointed out that the facts and circumstances would go to show that every selection of tenders, terms of the agreements and advances proposed to be released were approved by the then chief minister and Madhusudhanan played no role in the matter.

According to the prosecution, the state government had allotted Rs 12.58 crore for purchase of sarees and dhotis. The supplies made by the contractors were allegedly of inferior quality and did not meet the specification in breadth and width.
Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement