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Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa will face a critical judicial test on Monday with the high court set to pronounce its verdict on her appeal against her conviction in the disproportionate assets case. As Tamil Nadu remains on edge, it will be a high-stake test as the judicial outcome could swing the political fortunes either way for the ruling AIADMK supremo and alter the political course in the neighbouring state, which will go to Assembly polls in about a year. According to legal circles, the 67-year old Jayalalithaa need not be present in the court when the single judge bench of Justice CR Kumaraswamy delivers the judgement, just a day ahead of the three-month deadline set by the Supreme Court to complete the hearing on appeals by her and three others. The court will decide on the appeals filed by Jayalalithaa and three others against the Special Court Judge Michael D’Cunha’s 27 September last verdict sentencing them to four years in jail and imposing a hefty fine of Rs 100 crore on her and Rs 10 crore each on three others. [caption id=“attachment_2238154” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
J Jayalalithaa was acquitted by the Karnataka HC in the DA case against her. AFP[/caption] An acquittal would enable a big political comeback for Jayalalithaa, who has waged many legal battles and seen several ups and downs in her political career. An adverse outcome, on the other hand, would accentuate uncertainty and cause more worries about the future of the AIADMK leader and her personality-based monolithic party. She will remain disqualified under the Representation of the People Act from contesting elections for a period of 10 years - four years from the date of conviction and six years thereafter, unless a superior court sets aside the conviction. During the hearing of the appeal, Jayalalithaa has contended that the then DMK government-led investigation had deliberately over-valued her assets and she had acquired the property, including jewellery, through legal means. Anticipating arrival of thousands of AIADMK supporters from Tamil Nadu on the verdict day, city police have clamped prohibitory orders in one km radius of the high court from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow, apart from beefing up security. After meandering for 18 years, the case had reached the climax with the conviction in September last year that brought her down from the pedestal of chief ministership and unseated her from the Assembly. She has earned the dubious distinction of losing the chief minister’s post twice following conviction in graft cases - in 2001 and 2014. Jayalalithaa had been charged with accumulating Rs 66.65 crore wealth disproportionate to known sources of her income from 1991-96 in her first term as Chief Minister in the case that has seen many political and legal twists and turns. Her close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi and her nephew and Jayalalithaa’s disowned foster son Sudhakaran were held guilty by the trial court. In perhaps one of the longest legal battles involving a political leader ever since the case was filed, the country has witnessed five Lok Sabha elections and Tamil Nadu three Assembly polls. Controversy also swirled around the case after Karnataka Advocate General BV Acharya quit as Special Public Prosecutor and Bhavani Singh came in his place in the trial court. Singh continued as SPP in the High Court but the Supreme Court recently annulled his appointment as “bad in law”, a verdict that brought back Acharya, who immediately filed a written submission seeking dismissal of the appeals by the AIADMK chief and three others. The case was transferred to the Bangalore Special Court by the Supreme Court in 2003 on a plea by DMK, which claimed a fair trial cannot be held in Chennai as the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK government was in power. - PTI
Live: DA case verdict helped me emerge as gold refined by fire, says Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa faces a critical judicial test with the HC set to pronounce its verdict on her appeal against conviction in the disproportionate assets case.
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PM Modi congratulates Jayalalithaa
Hours after the Karnataka High Court acquitted former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called up the AIADMK supremo to congratulate her.
Jayalalithaa is expected to take oath as CM on 17 May.
Frenzy over Jayalalithaa’s acquittal reaches new level
Immensely satisfied with verdict: Jayalalithaa
In her first reaction on the verdict, Jayalalithaa said she was immensely satisfied with the verdict and alleged that the charges against her were part of a conspiracy by DMK to defame her and AIADMK.
“The verdict had given me immense satisfaction. It has removed aspersions cast on me out of political vendetta,” said the AIADMK supremo.
“I don’t consider it as a personal victory, justice has been established, dharma has won,” she said. “I thank people of Tamil Nadu for reposing faith in me and I thank God for the gift of people’s love…I recall with sorrow the demise of 233 party cadres who lost their lives after the special court delivered its verdict on my sentence,” she said.
“The verdict shows I did nothing wrong,” said Jayalalithaa.“Truth and justice has prevailed.”
“Verdict has helped me emerge as gold refined by fire,” she said.
“DMK didnt win electorally. So they tried to put an end to my career through other ways. Finally, justice has prevailed,” Jayalalithaa said. “The verdict is a defeat for those who had conspired to defame and malign my legacy and the legacy of my mentor MGR.”
Defence didn’t provide evidence, Gandhi said conscience above all courts: Karunanidhi
DMK chief M Karunanidhi reacted to the clean chit given to Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case and alleged that the defence had not provided any evidence to disprove the prosecution, according to Times Now.
“Gandhi said conscience is above all courts,” the TV news channel quoted Karunanidhi as saying.
AIADMK MLAs reach Jayalalithaa’s residence
After the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa of all charges, AIADMK MLAs reached the former Tamil Nadu CM’s residence to meet her, according to TV reports.
Jayalalithaa has earned the right to become Tamil Nadu CM: Subramanian Swamy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed the charges against Jayalalithaa and had said that he was shocked due to the Karnataka High Court’s verdict, now said that Jayalalithaa had earned the right to become CM.
“She has now earned the right to be sworn-in again as the CM,” Swamy said.
No ground for fresh appeal, says prosecutor
Special Public Prosecutor in the case BV Acharya said there was no ground in the DA case for fresh appeal. “As far as we are concerned, the case is closed. We do not see any grounds for further appeal,” he said.
Was denied fair opportunity to present case, says prosecutor
Special Public Prosecutor BV Acharya said he didn’t expect this judgement and felt a fair opportunity was not given to the prosecution.
“I feel this is a case where prosecution has been denied adequate opportunity to present their case,” Acharya said, adding that the prosecution was denied opportunity to give oral arguments.
The public prosecutor in the DA case said that there is no ground for appeal in the case.
“We don’t think there is any ground for appeal,” said the prosecutor, according to CNN-IBN.
Jayalalithaa likely to be sworn-in as CM on 17 May
According to TV reports, Jayalalithaa is likely to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on 17 May.
Now there are no restrictions stopping Jayalalithaa from becoming CM, says lawyer
Saying that the prosecution in the DA case exaggerated the charges against Jayalalithaa, the lawyer of Jayalalithaa, B Kumar, said, “The case against her couldn’t be proved.”
“Now, there are no restrictions from Jayalalithaa becoming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,” he said.
Honourable Amma only honest politician in the whole world: AIADMK MP
“A false case was registered against honourable Amma. We thank the High Court for this verdict,” said an AIADMK MP from the Rajya Sabha.
“Honourable Amma is the only honest politician in the whole world,” he said. “We will seek permission to meet Amma. If she permits us, we will meet her…We thank Indian judiciary, God and the people of Tamil Nadu and India,” he added.
Jayalalithaa to resume as Tamil Nadu CM immediately
O Panneerselvam will resign as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the position will be reclaimed by Jayalalithaa, according to CNN-IBN. She will enter the state assembly as an MLA through a bypoll.
AIADMK MPs distribute sweets in Parliament
Tamil Nadu CM reaches Jaya’s residence
O Panneerselvam, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, reached Jayalalithaa’s residence to pay the former CM a visit after the court aqcuitted her of all charges.
Celebrations have also erupted outside the Karnatka High Court in support of Jayalalithaa.
Verdict a big setback for struggle against corruption: Subramanian Swamy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy expressed disappointment over the HC verdict on the DA case and told _CNN-IBN, “_I am shocked. It is a big setback for struggle against corruption.”
Celebrations erupt outside AIADMK office
Jayalalithaa acquitted in DA case
In a big relief for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, the Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case against her.
According to reports, all the charges against Jayalalithaa and the three others accused N Sasikalaa, J Elavarasi and VN Sudhagaran were set aside.
Expect Jayalalithaa’s conviction to be upheld, says Subramanian Swamy
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed the complaint against Jayalalithaa back in 1996, said that he expected that her conviction will be upheld.
“At most, the judge will exercise a discussion whether the punishment should be increased or reduced,” Swamy said.
Today is our Mother’s Day, Amma is our God: AIADMK spokesperson
An AIADMK spokesperson said that she was sure that “justice will be on Amma’s side.”
“She is the people’s leader. We will be seeing Amma very soon with a great victory,” the spokesperson told Times Now.
On being asked about what the party plans to do if Jayalalithaa’s plea was rejected, she said, “Why do you want to think negative? We gave a positive reply.”
“The seven and a half crore people in Tamil Nadu are waiting for verdict. Amma will become CM within a day,” she said.
“No party can stand in front of Amma…Today is our Mother’s Day…Jayalalithaa is our God,” said the AIADMK spokesperson.
Public prosecutor in DA case reaches HC
The public prosecutor in the DA case has reached the Karnataka High Court, according to CNN-IBN.
Meanwhile, around 3000 reserve police personnel have been deployed in Chennai, according to Headlines Today.
Our affair with Karnataka over today, says AIADMK advocate
“Whatever be the outcome, our affair with Karnataka is over today. No point in mustering our strength and displaying it here,” The Times of India quoted an AIADMK advocate as saying.
Crucial meeting at AIADMK headquarters underway
Ahead of the HC decision on Jayalalithaa’s DA case verdict, a crucial meeting at the AIADMK’s headquarters in Chennai took place, according to Headlines Today.
Political aspect shouldn’t interfere judicial process: Congress
In a political reaction from the Congress on Jayalalithaa’s DA case verdict, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “It is a matter of pride that the judicial process does work itself out. Political aspects should not be injected into it.”
“I don’t think it is necessary for poltiical parties to comment on a judicial process,” said the Congress leader. “You have to wait for the judicial process to complete. Even after the ruling, political comments are completely unnecessary.”
High security in Chennai
Ahead of verdict, supporters gather outside Jayalalithaa’s home shouting ’long live Amma’
Ahead of verdict, here are the pujas in Tamil Nadu
Posters in support of Jayalalithaa put up in Chennai
Justice Cunha’s judgement likely to be upheld, says Jaya’s lawyer
Jayalalithaa’s lawyer Krishnamoorthy said that the verdict against the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was likely to be upheld.
“In my view, Honorable Justice Cunhas’s judgement is likely to be upheld,” he said. “Everything should be considered by Justice kumaraswamy. Then, the judgment has to be decided.”
Prayers and poojas begin for Jayalalithaa
AIADMK supporters on Sunday performed poojas at various temples in Tamil Nadu, seeking divine intervention in the case against Jayalalithaa.
“While 10,000 girls carried pots over their heads offering 5,000 litre of milk to the presiding deity, in another temple for Bhadrakali, a Chandi yagyam was performed seeking divine help in mitigating Jayalalithaa’s legal troubles,” reported Hindustan Times .
The report also said that 1 lakh and 8 lamps were lit in Karur and 1008 coconuts were also offered to Lord Sri Kalyana Pasupati.
Security intensified around the Karnataka High Court, Jayalalithaa’s residence
False case against Jayalalithaa, say AIADMK supporters
“We expect a good result will come. False cases have been implicated on our leader Amma,” an AIADMK supporter told ANI. “She has done a lot of good things for people. This will surely benefit her.”
BJP asks Tamil Nadu govt to maintain law and order irrespective of verdict
Citing incidents of violence after AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa was sentenced last year, state BJP urged the police to maintain law and order irrespective of the outcome on her appeal before the Karnataka High Court challenging her conviction in the DA case.
“Irrespective of the outcome in the appeal, whether it is in Jayalalithaa’s favour or not, police department should take appropriate steps to ensure that law and order is maintained and the general public is not affected,” state BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan said in Chennai in a statement on Sunday night. – PTI