Chennai, July 9 (IANS) The Madras High Court has referred a criminal case involving Tamil Nadu Minister N. Maria Wilson and his family to mediation, while exempting him from appearing before a Puducherry trial court on July 10 in connection with an alleged assault arising from a family property dispute.

A bench of Justice P. Elanthiraiyan passed the interim order after taking note of submissions that the dispute was essentially a family matter and that the parties were willing to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement.

The case originates from a complaint filed by the minister’s elder brother, Marie Claude, who alleged that on August 8, 2022, Maria Wilson and their father, Nestor, forcibly entered his residence at Ezhil Nagar in Puducherry and assaulted him and his wife, Caroline Claude, during a dispute over family property.

Following the complaint, the Laspettai police registered a criminal case and carried out an investigation. After completing the probe, the police filed a charge sheet before the First Criminal Court in Puducherry.

As part of the proceedings, the trial court directed the minister to appear in person to receive copies of the charge sheet. However, after he failed to appear on several occasions, the court ordered him to be present without fail on July 10.

Challenging the criminal proceedings, Maria Wilson approached the Madras High Court by filing a petition seeking to quash the case. He also requested exemption from appearing before the Puducherry trial court pending consideration of his plea.

During the hearing, counsel for the minister submitted that the criminal case arose out of a family dispute and informed the court that both sides were willing to attempt an out-of-court settlement through mediation.

Taking note of the submissions, Justice Elanthiraiyan referred the matter to the Madras High Court Mediation Centre. The court directed all four parties — Maria Wilson, his father Nestor, complainant Marie Claude and Caroline Claude –to appear before the Mediation Centre on July 13 to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute amicably. Pending the mediation process, the High Court granted the minister temporary exemption from personally appearing before the Puducherry trial court on July 10. The petition seeking to quash the criminal proceedings is expected to be taken up for further consideration after the outcome of the mediation process.

–IANS

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