K. Ponmudy

K. Ponmudi (born Deivasigamani K, 19 August 1950) is an Indian politician and the Minister for Higher Education of Tamil Nadu,^[3] who was disqualified in 2023 after the Madras High Court convicted him in the disproportionate assets case.^[4][5] He was the Minister for Higher Education of Tamil Nadu from 2006 to 2011.^[6] He was born in T. Edaiyar in the Villupuram district. He has a bachelor's degree in law, a master's degree in history, political science and public administration and a doctorate in political science. He is an alumnus of Annamalai University.^[7] Before entering professional politics, he was a professor in the Villupuram government college. He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly five times. From 1989 to 1991 during Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rule he was the Minister for Health, and from 1996 to 2001 he was the Minister for Transport and Highways.^[8][9] He authored a book titled Dravidian Movement in India and Black Movement in the U.S.A.^[10]

Dr. K. Ponmudi
Cabinet Minister Government of Tamil Nadu
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 March 2024
Minister	Minister for Higher Education
Chief Minister	M. K. Stalin
Preceded by	Raja Kannappan
In office 7 May 2021 – 21 December 2023
Chief Minister	M. K. Stalin
Preceded by	K. P. Anbalagan
Succeeded by	Raja Kannappan
In office 13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011
Chief Minister	M. Karunanidhi
Preceded by	C. V. Shanmugam
Succeeded by	P. Palaniappan
In office 13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001
Minister	Minister for Transport & Highways
Chief Minister	M. Karunanidhi
Preceded by	K. A. Sengottaiyan
Succeeded by	Nainar Nagendran
In office 27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991
Minister	Minister for Health
Chief Minister	M. Karunanidhi
Preceded by	P. U. Shanmugam
Succeeded by	S. Muthusamy
Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 2016
Preceded by	L. Venkatesan
Constituency	Tirukkoyilur
In office 1996–2011
Preceded by	D. Janardhanan
Succeeded by	C. V. Shanmugam
Constituency	Villupuram
In office 1989–1991
Preceded by	M. Mani Rajarathinam
Succeeded by	D. Janardhanan
Constituency	Villupuram
Personal details
Born	(1950-08-19) 19 August 1950 (age 74) T. Edaiyar, Tirukoilur Taluk, South Arcot district, Madras.
Political party	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse	Visalakshi[1]
Children	Dr Gowtham Sigamani, Dr Ashok Sigamani[2]
Residence	Villupuram

Conviction

On 19 December 2023, The Madras High Court convicted him in disproportionate assets case for amassing assets during his tenure as minister for Mines and Minerals in 2006–2011 DMK Government.^[11][12] On 21 December 2023, he and his wife were sentenced to three years imprisonment as well as to a fine of ₹50 lakhs each by the Madras High Court. The court stayed the sentence imposed on them to appeal before the Supreme Court for 30 days. As a result, Ponmudi was disqualified as an MLA and minister as per Representation of the People Act, 1951.^[13][14]

Electoral results

Elections	Constituency	Party	Result	Vote %	Opposition Candidate	Opposition Party	Opposition Vote %
1989	Villupuram	DMK	Won	47.18	ABDUL LATHEEF S	INC	23.39[15]
1991			Lost	33.37	D. JANAARDHANAN	ADMK	48.82[16]
1996			Won	58.24	PANNEERSELVAM, S.S.	ADMK	25.90[17]
2001			Won	47.45	R.PASUPATHY	PMK	45.86[18]
2006			Won	46.87	PASUPATHY.R	ADMK	40.56[19]
2011			Lost	45.19	C. V. Shanmugam	ADMK	52.18[20][21]
2016	Tirukkoyilur		Won	49.80	GOTHANDARAMAN G	ADMK	37.44[22]
2021			Won	56.56	VAT.KALIVARADHAN	BJP	26.14[23]

References

1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Political heirs on the horizon | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.
3. "Council of Ministers | Tamil Nadu Government Portal". 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
4. "Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy and wife sentenced to 3 years in jail in disproportionate assets case". The Indian Express. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
5. Radhakrishnan, R. K. (21 December 2023). "DMK Minister Ponmudi sentenced in disproportionate assets case". Frontline. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
6. "Council of Ministers, Tamil Nadu, India". Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
7. "Welcome to Annamalai University". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
8. "Tamil University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India". Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
9. K. Ponmudy profile at TN government website
10. "::Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University::". Tnteu.in. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
11. "Madras HC sets aside trial court order acquitting DMK Minister K Ponmudi in disproportionate assets case". newindianexpress. 19 December 2023.
12. "Madras HC Overturns Acquittal, Convicts DMK Minister K Ponmudi In Disproportionate Assets Case". abplive. 19 December 2023.
13. "Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy and wife sentenced to 3 years in jail in disproportionate assets case". The Indian Express. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
14. "DMK Minister Ponmudi sentenced in disproportionate assets case". Frontline. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
15. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1989 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
16. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1991 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
17. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1996 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
18. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2001 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
19. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2006 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
20. "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2011 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
21. Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu (PDF). Election Commission of Tamil Nadu (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
22. "Tamil Nadu General Legislative Election 2016, Election Commission of India".
23. "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 1 July 2021.