Court adjourns disproportionate assets case against Jaya

Bangalore: A special court today adjourned the disproportionate assets case filed against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa till 14 September. The Chief Minister’s counsel A Kandasami filed an application under CrPC section 309 (Power to postpone or adjourn proceedings) seeking two weeks adjournment in the wake of the Special Leave Petition, which came up before the Supreme Court on Monday, being adjourned to 12 September. [caption id=“attachment_77605” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] “Since the Apex Court is likely to pronounce the orders on September 12, we seek two weeks adjournment so that we can proceed on the basis of the outcome,” he submitted. Assistant Special Public Prosecutor Sandesh Chowta acceded to it but pointed out that the SLP was adjourned at the request of the petitioner’s counsel. He said the case could be posted to 13 September to know the outcome and “then we will be in a position to inform the court what has transpired”. Referring to the apex court’s observations on Monday, Chowta said, “Even the court has observed that an attempt is being made to protract the proceedings.” Meanwhile, counsels for all four accused—Jayalalithaa, Sasikala Natarajan, V Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi—filed applications seeking exemption from personal appearance today. While Jayalalithaa’s counsel cited her busy schedule as Chief Minister as the reason, Sasikala’s counsel submitted she was suffering from eye problem. Sudhakaran’s counsel said he had fractured his hand while Ilavarasi’s counsel submitted that his client was a “severe diabetic”. The court allowed the applications and adjourned the case to 14 September. PTI