Tamil Nadu Minister Appears in Puducherry Court, Receives Charge Sheet in 2022 Assault Case

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson appeared before the Second Judicial Magistrate in Puducherry on Friday and formally received the additional charge sheet filed against him and his father in a 2022 assault case.

The court had directed the Minister to appear in person to collect the document and a pen drive submitted as evidence by the complainant. His father, Nestor, who is the second accused in the matter, was also present during the proceedings.

Following the receipt of the charge sheet, the judge scheduled the next hearing for September 9. The case was initially being heard by the First Judicial Magistrate, but was transferred to the second court after the presiding officer was reassigned.

The case originates from a complaint filed in 2022 by Careline Claude, the Minister's sister-in-law, who resides in Ezhil Nagar in Puducherry. She alleged that Wilson trespassed into her residence and assaulted and abused her over a property dispute.

The Lawspet police initially registered a case, but the complainant later challenged the FIR, arguing that only minor provisions of the law were invoked. Following court directions, a fresh charge sheet with more serious charges was subsequently filed.

This development comes after the Madras High Court recently pulled up the Minister for his repeated failure to appear before the Puducherry court in connection with the case.