The Supreme Court has stayed a Madras High Court order that revived a disproportionate assets (DA) case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his family. The court originally dismissed the case in 2012.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu police and state government, seeking their response on Panneerselvam’s plea challenging the High Court’s October 29 order. The court has listed the matter for hearing in four weeks. Justice Roy stated, “In the meantime, the operation of the judgment shall remain stayed.”
The Madras High Court had initiated suo motu proceedings, overturning a 2012 discharge order by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Sivaganga. Following the demise of two accused, including Panneerselvam’s wife, P Vijayalakshmi, the court abated the trial. The High Court directed the trial court to frame charges and conduct a daily trial, ensuring its conclusion by June 2025.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Panneerselvam, highlighted the delay, remarking, “The restoration of proceedings after two decades raises significant questions.” The defense argued that the High Court bypassed the trial court’s discretion under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which permits the trial judge to evaluate evidence before framing charges.
The case originated in 2006, alleging that Panneerselvam accumulated ₹1.7 crore in wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as Chief Minister and Revenue Minister. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered the case but closed it in 2012 following AIADMK’s return to power, leading to his discharge.
The Madras HC transferred the case to Madurai, with a stay granted, highlighting due process in Panneerselvam’s legal battle.
 case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his family. The court originally dismissed the case in 2012.){kind=link}