Another DMK leader held on land grab charge

Former state higher education minister K Ponmudi on Wednesday became the fourth former minister in the DMK government led by Muthuvel Karunanidhi to be arrested on land grabbing charges. HT reports.

Former state higher education minister K Ponmudi on Wednesday became the fourth former minister in the DMK government led by Muthuvel Karunanidhi to be arrested on land grabbing charges.

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Ponmudi was arrested from his Villupuram residence, about 160 km south of Chennai.

According to Villupuram police, Siga Educational Trust, belonging to Ponmudi, took over the land allotted for children's park and community hall without proper authorisation.

AIADMK's trade union wing leader Narayanasmy had lodged a complaint of land grab.

"Police surrounded the Ponmudi's residence early on Wednesday morning," police sources told HT over phone.

Tension prevailed in the region as several DMK workers congregate outside the former minister's residence when police came to arrest him.

Ponmudhi told press that the AIADMK government was foisting false cases on its political opponents.

The other ministers arrested in land grab cases since the AIADMK came to power in May are former transport minister KBN Nehru, former agriculture minister Veerapandi Arumugam and former handlooms minister NKKP Raja.

The government has formed land grab cells in 30 districts and has set up fast track courts to process the land grab cases. Over 450 cases have been registered so far in the state.