Supreme Court Stalls Trial in Disproportionate-Assets Case Against Tamil Nadu Minister

The Supreme Court has put a hold on trial proceedings against Tamil Nadu minister and DMK general secretary, Durai Murugan, in a disproportionate-assets case. The bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government following an appeal filed by Murugan against a Madras High Court order.

The court, represented by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi for Murugan, stated that there shall be no further proceedings until the next hearing, scheduled for April 20. Singhvi, arguing for Murugan, sought a stay on the trial citing similar relief granted in another case.

Previously, the Madras High Court had directed a special court to frame charges and expedite the trial in the disproportionate-assets case. The prosecution alleges that Murugan accumulated wealth worth Rs 3.92 crore, disproportionate to his known income, during his tenure as the Public Works Department minister from 1996 to 2001.