Here I compare three cases : Ponmudi (DMK), Senthil Balaji (DMK) and S.Iswaran (PAP Singapore). You could consider this as a reflection on India’s legal situation.

Comparative Timeline of Cases

Year / Date	Ponmudi (India, DMK)	Senthil Balaji (India, DMK)	S. Iswaran (Singapore, PAP)
2002	DVAC registers disproportionate assets (DA)case against Ponmudi & wife.	–	–
2006-2011	Alleged period of DA accumulation while Mines & Minerals Minister.	–	–
2011-2016	–	Alleged “cash-for-jobs” scam when Balaji was Transport Minister (AIADMK).	–
2016	Trial court acquits Ponmudi & wife in DA case.	–	–
2017	DVAC appeals acquittal in Madras HC.	–	–
June 14, 2023	–	ED arrests Balaji in money-laundering probe linked to cash-for-jobs scam.	CPIB opens probe into Iswaran’s ties with tycoon Ong Beng Seng.
Dec 19, 2023	Madras HC sets aside acquittal, convicts Ponmudi & wife of DA.	–	–
Dec 21, 2023	Ponmudi & wife sentenced to 3 yrs’ simple imprisonment + Rs 50 lakh fine each. Sentence suspended for 30 days.	–	–
Jan 18, 2024	–	–	Iswaran charged with 27 counts(corruption, obstruction).
Mar 11, 2024	SC stays Ponmudi’s conviction & sentence, allowing him to remain MLA.	–	–
Mar 25, 2024	–	–	8 more charges filed; total 35charges.
Aug–Sept 2024	–	–	Trial begins; Iswaran pleads guilty to 5 charges (4 improper gifts, 1 obstruction).
Sept 26, 2024	–	SC grants bail to Balaji after ~15 months in custody.	–
Oct 3, 2024	–	–	High Court sentences Iswaran to 12 months’ jail.
Feb 7, 2025	–	–	Iswaran shifted to home detention scheme.
Apr 23-25, 2025	–	SC warns Balaji: resign ministerial post or bail will be revoked.	–
Apr 28, 2025	–	Balaji resigns from TN cabinet. SC closes plea to cancel bail.	–
Jun 6, 2025	–	–	Iswaran completes sentence(released from custody).
Mid-2025	Ponmudi’s appeal pending in SC. Conviction stayed, but not overturned.	Balaji free on bail; trial pending. Facing new PIL on transformer tenders.	Case closed — conviction stands, but sentence served.

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Current Status (as of late 2025)

• Ponmudi → Convicted by Madras HC (Dec 2023), but conviction stayed by Supreme Court (Mar 2024). Appeal pending; remains MLA.
• Senthil Balaji → On bail since Sept 2024; resigned ministerial post in Apr 2025; trial (cash-for-jobs + money laundering) still pending; also facing new PIL.
• S. Iswaran → Convicted (Oct 2024), sentenced (12 months), served time (including home detention), released June 2025; case concluded, but conviction record remains.