Madras HC suspends sentence of ex-DMK MLA, family in disproportionate assets case

The Madras High Court today suspended the sentence awarded by a lower court to a former DMK MLA and his family in a disproportionate assets case and granted them bail.

In June, A Marimuthu, his wife Thulasiammal and son Prakash were sentenced to four years' rigourous imprisonment by a Special Court in Villupuram under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The trio then filed an appeal before the high court seeking suspension of sentence.

The plea came up before Justice G Jayachandran who granted them bail and directed each of them to execute a bond for Rs 5 lakh and two sureties of the same amount.

Jayachandran also ordered Marimuthu and his family to appear before the trial court on the first working day of every month until further orders.

According to the prosecution, Marimuthu acquired assets worth Rs 12.66 lakh, disproportionate to his known sources of income, during his tenure as MLA between 1996-2001.

Marimuthu and Thulasiammal were lodged in the central jail at Cuddalore, while Prakash was lodged in the Vellore jail.