A sessions court in Villupuram has announced that it will deliver its verdict on April 2 in the red soil quarry case involving former DMK minister K. Ponmudi.
The case relates to alleged violations in a red soil quarry at Boothurai village in Vanur taluk, Villupuram district, during 2006–2011 when Ponmudi was a minister. The prosecution claims the irregular extraction caused a revenue loss of Rs 28.36 crore to the government.
Villupuram district crime branch police registered the case in 2012 against Ponmudi, his son Gowthamasigamani, relatives Jayachandran and others, naming eight accused. The trial has been proceeding before the Villupuram principal sessions court.
One of the accused, Lokanathan, has died due to ill health. Prosecution witness examination concluded in October, with 182 documents filed by the prosecution and 26 by the accused.
When the matter came up again, only Rajamahendran, Sadanandam and Gopinath appeared in court. After hearing final arguments from both sides, Judge Manimozhi adjourned the case to April 2 and said the judgment would be pronounced that day.
