Karnataka HC To Deliver Verdict In Jayalalithaa DA Case Appeal Today

11 May, Bengaluru

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa faces a crucial judicial test today , Monday with the Karnataka High Court set to pronounce its verdict on her appeal against her conviction in the disproportionate assets case that will have a bearing on her political future.

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 Tamil Nadu which will go to Assembly polls in about a year.

According to legal circles, 67-year old Jayalalithaa need not be present in the court when the single judge bench of Justice C R 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 September 27 last year verdict sentencing them to four years in jail and imposing a hefty fine of 100 crore rupees on her and 10 crore rupees each on three others.

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.

Meanwhile, anticipating arrival of thousands of AIADMK supporters from Tamil Nadu on the verdict day, the Bangalore police have clamped prohibitory orders in one km radius of the High Court from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, apart from beefing up security.