The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed petitions filed by Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy and his wife, challenging suo motu proceedings initiated by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court against the transfer of their trial and subsequent acquittal in a disproportionate assets case.
The Minister’s lawyers were in for a surprise when Chief Justice Chandrachud, rather than ordering Justice Venkatesh’s recusal, hailed him for his judicial action.
“It is the correct order. Thank god for our judicial institution we have judges like Justice Anand Venkatesh,” the Chief Justice said, addressing senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi, who were appearing for the Minister and his wife, P. Visalatchi.