DMK minister discharged from Tamil Nadu Housing Board plot allotment case

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu cooperatives minister I Periyasamy has been discharged from a criminal case registered against him for alleged irregularities in the allotment of Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) plots in 2008. A special court for cases against MPs and MLAs passed the orders discharging the minister on Friday.
Special judge G Jayavel, in his verdict, held that the sanction obtained to prosecute Periyasamy is not valid.
The sanction obtained from the Assembly Speaker to prosecute Periyasamy under Section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 197 of the CrPC is not as per the mandatory provisions, the court said.
According to the prosecution, a case was registered against the then housing minister based on various allegations regarding allocation of house plots developed by the TNHB.
An FIR was registered under various sections of IPC and PCA for the alleged irregularities committed in allotting a plot to Ganesan, who had been serving as personal security officer to former chief minister M Karunanidhi.
The allotment was made under the government discretionary quota when Periyasamy held the portfolio of housing department during 2006-11 DMK regime.