Disproportionate assets case: Out on bail, Jayalalithaa reaches Chennai to jubilant celebration

The Special Court on Saturday issued the order for release of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa from jail here in accordance with the Supreme Court order granting her bail in the disproportionate assets case. The release order by Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha came after a bond for Rs two crore was furnished and surety of assets offered. Copy of the Supreme Court order was also produced before the court by Jayalalithaa's lawyers. Read more

Latest Updates: Jayalalithaa released on bail from Bangalore Central Jail and will leave for Chennai in a chartered plane. AIADMK celebrates in Bangalore and Chennai, set to form a human chain in Chennai.

11:00 IST Saturday, 18 October 2014

9:52 IST Saturday, 18 October 2014

Do not comment on court order, judges and court proceedings says Jayalalithaa to party cadres

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case. Jayalalithaa, who was denied bail by the Karnataka High Court following her conviction and a four-year sentence in the graft case, had moved the Supreme Court for bail on October 9. She had also claimed that she was suffering from several health issues. The Supreme Court granted Jayalalithaa bail after taking an assurance that she would not take further adjournments in the Karnataka High Court. It also directed her to file a paperbook of her appeal within two months. Read more

17:45 IST Friday, 18 October 2014

Bail for Jayalalithaa: AIADMK activists break out into celebrations

AIADMK supporters broke out into celebrations, bursting crackers and dancing on the roads in Chennai after the Supreme Court granted bail to party chief Jayalalithaa in the illegal assets case, paving way for her homecoming for the Diwali festival. What started as a sombre day at the party headquarters with grim-faced AIADMK leaders ushering in its 43rd founding day with some workers turning up in black outfits, soon transformed into a celebratory mood with slogans hailing 'Amma' and bursting of crackers reverberating the air. Read more

17:45 IST Friday, 18 October 2014

Supreme Court grants bail to J Jayalalithaa, asks her not delay appeal

In a major relief to AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, who has been in jail for past 21 days, the Supreme Court on Friday suspended the sentence awarded to her by a trial court and granted her bail in 18 year-old disproportionate assets case. She will be released from prison today, said senior counsel B Kumar. The former chief minister had cited grounds of being senior citizen and woman for getting out of jail. While pressing for bail in the apex court, Jayalalithaa even pleaded that she is ready to be confined in a house for two-three months till her appeal is decided by the high court. The bench, however, said it cannot pass such "unusual" order for house confinement and she can either be granted or denied bail. Read more

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Jayalalitha's bail application to be heard by Karnataka High Court on Wednesday

A vacation bench of Karnataka High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's application, seeking immediate bail and suspension of conviction and jail sentence in the disproportionate assets case to October 7.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was on September 28 convicted under prevention of corruption act by a special court in Bangalore. She has sentenced to a jail term of 4 years by the Bangalore Special Court and has been slapped with a fine of Rs 100 crores in the judgement for an 18-year-old corruption case. Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha convicted the 66-year-old AIADMK Chief in a case of owning assets to the tune Rs 66,65 crores disproportionate to her known sources of income during 1991-96 when she was chief minister for the first time.

Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi and her nephew and the chief minister's disowned foster son Sudhakaran were also convicted. The verdict was delivered at a makeshift court in the Parappana Agrahara prison complex in the presence of Jayalalithaa and the other accused.  Read more

Demonstrations, fasts by AIADMK workers across Tamil Nadu enters fourth day

The state-wide agitation opposing the conviction of AIA DMK supremo Jayalalithaa entered the fourth day today, with AIADMK workers and sympathisers continuing their protests and fasts. In Chennai, the fast was observed at several locations, while the party workers did so in various places including Tiruchirapalli, Cuddalore, Salem, Coimbatore and Kanchipuram. The film fraternity also rallied behind the AIADMK supremo, shutting down all activities for the day. Read more.

Karnataka High Court adjourns bail plea hearing to October 6

Jayalalithaa will have to spend at least six days more in jail here as the Karnataka High Court today adjourned to October 6 her pleas seeking immediate bail and challenging her conviction in the disproportionate assets case against her.

Ram Jethmalani, counsel for Jayalalithaa, pleaded for suspending the sentence pending appeal under Section 389 of the Criminal Procedure Code and for her release on bail. Section 389 states that pending any appeal by a convicted person, the Appellate Court may order that the execution of the sentence or order appealed against be suspended. Also, if the person is in confinement, that he or she be released on bail, or on own bond. G Bhavani Singh, who was Special Public Prosecutor in the Special Court in the disproportionate assets case, told the judge that he had not yet received any official notification appointing him as the SPP for the criminal appeal filed in the High Court. Read more.

Monday, 29 September 2014

AIADMK workers hold demonstrations, fast across Tamil Nadu

Continuing their protest against the conviction of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa for the third day, party workers and sympathisers today observed a fast and staged demonstrations across the state. Police said no untoward incident was reported so far in the state, which witnessed sporadic violence such as stone pelting and torching of vehicles in the aftermath of the verdict. Read more.

O Panneerselvam sworn in as Chief Minister

O Panneerselvam was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after being selected by AIADMK to succeed Jayalalithaa at a meeting of MLAs on Sunday. An emotional Panneerselvam was seen wiping his eyes as he was sworn-in as Chief Minister by Governor K Rosaiah at the Raj Bhavan. Even when Rosaiah extended customary greetings after the oath taking ceremony, Panneerselvam appeared deeply distressed and the Governor was seen comforting him.

A sombre mood prevailed as the newly sworn in ministers of the crisis-ridden AIADMK appeared grim. The media was not invited for coverage of the swearing-in ceremony and no invitations reached the opposition parties. Read more.

Jayalalithaa files petition in Karnataka High Court, seeks bail

Jailed AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging her conviction and seeking bail in the disproportionate assets case against her. The 66-year-old leader sought relief two days. Jayalalithaa's aide Sasikala, her relatives V N Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi also approached the Court, seeking bail and challenging their conviction in the case. Read more.

Sunday, 28 September 2014

O Paneerselvam to be Chief Minister 

The AIADMK MLAs meeting took place to decide on who will take over as Jayalalithaa steps down as Chief Minister. O Panneerselvam will succeed her and take over as the Chief Minister. This will be his second time as Chief Minister. Panneerselvam is currently the Finance Minister of the state.

O. Panneerselvam leaves from AIADMK party office pic.twitter.com/aRwokwac9D

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 28, 2014

Chennai: AIADMK MLAs meeting begins at party office pic.twitter.com/SARYR3qVNH

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 28, 2014

Jayalalithaa's verdict not final, say AIADMK allies

Lawyers for jailed AIADMK supremo J  Jayalalithaa will move the Karnataka High Court on Monday for bail for her while they were also finalising a strategy for seeking a stay on her conviction and sentence in the disproportionate assets case. "We will be filing a bail application in the Karnataka High Court tomorrow," B Kumar, senior counsel for the 66-year-old leader, told PTI, a day after a special court sentenced her to four years in jail that immediately disqualified her from being an MLA.  Read more.
 

Jayalalithaa's verdict not final, say AIADMK allies

Rallying behind beleaguered AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, two of her allies today said the Bangalore special court verdict convicting her in the disproportionate assets case was not final and expressed hope that she would emerge victorious. 

"The verdict is not final and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will break the barriers through appropriate legal procedures," All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) chief R Sarathkumar and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi President T Velmurugan said. "The AIADMK will continue the welfare government under the able guidance of Jayalalithaa," they said in identical statements here. Read more.

DMDK leader Vijayakant meets Tamil Nadu governor over deteriorating law and order situation

DMDK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu Assembly, today expressed concern over 'deterioration' of law and order in the state following Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's conviction in an illegal assets case and urged Governor K Rosiah to 'restore the rule of law.' DMDK founder and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vijayakant met the Governor and presented a memorandum to him in this regard. Read more.

Karunanidhi, MK Stalin booked for clash between DMK-AIADMK workers

FIRs have been filed against DMK President M Karunanidhi and his son and party Treasurer MK Stalin in connection with a clash between their supporters and AIADMK workers in the wake of conviction of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the assets case. The clash took place when AIADMK workers protested against DMK and its leaders, alleging that it was their act of 'foisting' the illegal Rs 66.65 crore assets case that led to the conviction of Jayalalithaa by a Bangalore special court yesterday. Read more.

Normalcy returns to Tamil Nadu after violent protests

Normalcy was today returning to Tamil Nadu, a day after sporadic violence erupted in several parts of the state in the wake of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

Bus services, suspended in many parts of the state, were being resumed in a phased manner while commercial establishments, including hotels and shops, were open in Chennai and elsewhere. Police said no major untoward incident was reported in the state today, which saw angry protesters forcing closure of shops, pelting stones and torching of vehicles in some places yesterday prompting the Union Home Ministry to ask the state government to maintain law and order.However, inter-state bus services to Bangalore remained suspended.

AIADMK MLAs to meet to choose new Chief Minister 

AIADMK MLAs are likely to meet here today to propose a candidate for the Chief Minister's post. Party sources said the meeting is likely to be held later in the day and all the legislators have been asked to be present. Majority of the ministers of the Jayalalithaa ministry and MLAs had been in Bangalore since yesterday to know the outcome of the Special Court verdict. Read more.

Australian government issues travel advisory to citizens

Australian government today issued a new travel advisory for its citizens in India following the unrest that has gripped the state of Tamil Nadu after the conviction and sentencing of its Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a corruption case. Issuing the advisory, the government said, "Following the conviction and sentencing of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, we recommend that Australians in Chennai remain indoors over the weekend of 27-28 September due to increased tensions." Read more.

.

How top parties reacted to the conviction

Congress on Saturday steered clear of making any comments on the conviction and sentencing of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in an 18-year-old corruption case saying it respects the judicial process and it is now up to the AIADMK to give an appropriate response.

"India has a rule of law and the courts take cognisance of all matters which is required to be looked into... As political parties we respect the judiciary and decisions," Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said. However, he said one will have to bear in mind that the processes have to be completed. Read more

Whereas BJP's Rajnath Singh comment on the conviction of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha by a Bangalore court in an 18-year old disproportionate asset case. "I will not comment on it as I have not seen the judgement," he told PTI here when asked tocomment on the conviction of Jayalalitha. Read more

Also Read: Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case: A timeline

Jayalalithaa, 66, will now lose MLA's post and has to step down as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, while she stands disqualified from public office for next 6 years.

She is likely to appoint a loyal partyman as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to the verdict, D Raja of CPI said, " This is a significant decision and it will have an impact on Tamil Nadu politics." Read more

NCP leader Tariq Anwar said, "With it's decision, the court has proved that nobody is above law." 

Security has been increased at the DMK headquarters and residences of its senior leaders. Police said that on a request from DMK, security had been increased at "Anna Arivalayam", the headquarters of DMK, two residences of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi and the residence of Anbazhagan, party's general secretary.

Also read: Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case: How it all began

Latest Updates

20:27 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Violence, arson in Tamil Nadu following Jayalalithaa's conviction

Stone-pelting and torching of public property, attacks on mediapersons and forceful closure of shops erupted across Tamil Nadu today as mobs reacted to the sentencing of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to four years imprisonment by a special court in Bangalore in a graft case. Read more

19:44 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Centre asks Tamil Nadu government to ensure law and order

The Centre tonight asked the Tamil Nadu government to ensure law and order in the wake of reports of sporadic violence in the state after Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was convicted in a disproportionate asset case.

"The Home Ministry has issued an advisory to the Tamil Nadu government asking it to maintain law and order. The Home Ministry has offered full support to the state government to deal with any situation arising after the Chief Minister's conviction," a Home Ministry official said tonight. Read more

19:33 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

#Jayaverdict: Governor meets top Tamil Nadu bureaucrats; reviews law and order

Amid reports of violence in parts of Tamil Nadu against the backdrop of a Bangalore special court convicting Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a wealth case, Governor K Rosaiah on Saturday summoned top bureaucrats to review the law and order situation. Read more

19:02 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Jayalalithaa complains of dizziness, taken to hospital: Reports

Jayalalithaa verdict: Self immolation bid, protests outside her residence

Amid vociferous protests in support of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) supporter on Saturday made a self immolation attempt in Chennai against special court's verdict holding Jayalalithaa guilty in disproportionate assets case. Read more

18:19 Saturday, 27 September 2014

Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case: Post conviction, violence erupts in Tamil Nadu

Violence broke out in several parts of Tamil Nadu today after Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was convicted in a graft case with angry AIADMK supporters indulging in stone pelting and arson and forcing closure of shops. Tension prevailed as protesters burnt effigies of DMK President M Karunanidhi, his sons M K Stalin and M K Alagiri and tore party posters in various places including in Chennai and Madurai. Read more

15:42 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Chennai: AIADMK supporters protest outside Subramanian Swamy's Residence #Jayaverdict pic.twitter.com/BtswiWQJrW

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

Chennai: #Jayaverdict AIADMK Supporters gather outside Karunanidhi's residence pic.twitter.com/lGpZqln1ZR

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

Chennai: #Jayaverdict Stone pelting at Karunanidhi's residence,Reinforcement arrives pic.twitter.com/WzJk6bNGjQ

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

14:01 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

News channels blocked, electricity cut, stones pelted minutes before the Jayalalithaa verdict announced.

13:57 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Protest against Subramanian Swamy in Chennai ​

13:30 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Power-cut reported in Bangalore ahead of verdict

13:26 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

AIADMK workers try to break barricades on Karnataka - Tamil Nadu border

Police on Saturday cane-charged AIADMK activists who were trying to proceed towards the special court here which is set to pronounce verdict in the disproportionate wealth case against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today.

12:16 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

Bangalore : Police detain AIADMK workers pic.twitter.com/oZlJxjgySW

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

12:00 IST Saturday, 27 September 2014

AIADMK workers raise slogans in support of J Jayalalithaa outside her residence in Chennai

Police checks a bus for AIADMK supporters on their way to Bangalore.

Security tightened outside court in Bangalore ahead of verdict in TN CM J Jayalalithaa DA case pic.twitter.com/IkKWig8EvT

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 27, 2014

Jayalalithaa had to quit as Chief Minister immediately after her swearing in 2001 following the Supreme Court declaring null and void the action of the then Governor Fatima Beevi appointing her as the Chief Minister as she had been sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case.

O Paneerselvan, a junior Minister handpicked by her, was appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. By 2002, she was cleared of all charges and sworn-in again as the Chief Minister.

Platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, the city Armed Reserve and the Rapid Action Force will be stationed near the court, besides hundreds of police personnel, including those in plain clothes, police said. Keeping all options open, an exclusive helipad has also been built within the prison complex in case Jayalalithaa, who enjoys 'Z Plus' security cover, decides to fly down there, police said.

The case was filed by Subramanian Swamy in 1996 accusing Jayalalithaa of amassing properties worth Rs 66 crore during her tenure as the Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996. Earlier, she was arrested and jailed for some days after DMK came to power in the 1996 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

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.

As the case moved, it has faced several twists and turns following the filing of associated cases and petitions. Moreover, the Special Court itself has witnessed five judges presiding over the case - AS Pachapure, AT Munoli, BM Mallikarjunaiah, MS Balakrishna and John Michael D'Cunha.

Controversy also swirled around the case after Karnataka Advocate General BV Acharya quit as Special Public Prosecutor and Bhavani Singh came in his place. Questions were raised in the Supreme Court over appointment of Singh also.

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.

The verdict, which was scheduled for September 20, was deferred to September 27 as the Karnataka High Court had to issue a notification regarding shifting of the court to facilitate Bangalore police to make security arrangements for the Chief Minister. Jayalalithaa on September 15 had filed a petition before the Special Court judge seeking security cover.

The court had directed Jayalalithaa and three other accused to be present before it. Appearing before the court four times, Jayalalithaa has answered 1,339 questions in closed door hearings during which she has maintained that the case was "politically motivated" and "fabricated" at the instance of her rival DMK.

The verdict, which was scheduled for September 20, was deferred to September 27 as the Karnataka High Court had to issue a notification regarding shifting of the court to facilitate Bangalore police to make security arrangements for the Chief Minister. Jayalalithaa on September 15 had filed a petition before the Special Court judge seeking security cover.

The court has directed Jayalalithaa and three other accused to be present before it. Appearing before the court four times, Jayalalithaa has answered 1,339 questions in closed door hearings during which she has maintained that the case was "politically motivated" and "fabricated" at the instance of her rival DMK.