Supreme Court Halts Corruption Trial of T.N. Minister I. Periyasamy

The Supreme Court intervened to halt the corruption trial of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I. Periyasamy in a case concerning the alleged allotment of a High Income Group plot in the Mogappair Eri scheme. This decision came after the trial judge refused to defer proceedings despite a petition challenging a suo motu order of the Madras High Court to reopen the case against Periyasamy.

The apex court directed that the trial should not proceed until it hears the matter. The case dates back to 2008-2009 when Periyasamy served as the Minister for Housing in the DMK government. Although he was discharged from the case in 2023 due to lack of proper sanction under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Madras High Court reopened it. Periyasamy has challenged the High Court’s jurisdiction, arguing that prosecution cannot proceed without prior sanction, which must be granted by the Governor for a sitting Cabinet Minister.