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Karnataka government moves SC against Jayalalithaa's acquittal

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Jayalalithaa

New Delhi: The Karnataka government today moved the Supreme Court challenging the state high court verdict acquitting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.

The state government in its appeal, filed through advocate Joseph Aristotle, has sought setting aside of the Karnataka HC order and also pleaded that the disqualification of the AIADMK chief be restored.

It has also alleged that it did not get ample opportunity to put forth its case before the high court.

The Karnataka High Court had on May 11 acquitted the AIADMK leader in the case, saying that her conviction by the special court suffered from infirmity and was not sustainable in law.

The special court had last year held Jayalalithaa guilty of corruption and sentenced her to four years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore.

(PTI)

Tamil Nadu to get Rs 5-crore bill from Karnataka for Jayalalithaa case

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Jayalalithaa

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is sending over a bill of more than Rs. 5.11 crore to neighbour Tamil Nadu soon. That is what it has spent on conducting the trial of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and three others in a corruption case over the last 12 years.

“We will claim Rs. 5.11 crore plus money from Tamil Nadu government which was spent on handling the case in Bengaluru,” Law Minister TB Jayachandra of the Congress told reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Mr Jayachandra said the state government would also bill Tamil Nadu for expenditure incurred on matters related to the Home department, including security cover for Ms Jayalalithaa, who returned as Tamil Nadu chief minister two weeks ago after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her, quashing her conviction by a Bangalore trial court in September last year.

“The home ministry is working on calculating expenses incurred on providing security to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,” Mr Jayachandra said.

Four days ago, the Karnataka government said it will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the acquittal of Ms Jayalalithaa.

The Supreme Court had transferred the case to Bengaluru on November 18, 2003, after K Anbazhagan, a politician from the DMK, Ms Jayalalithaa’s arch rival, contended that a fair trial was not possible in Tamil Nadu with her Chief Minister.

In September last year, the trial court held Ms Jayalalithaa guilty of amassing wealth beyond her income. She was jailed for three weeks before being granted bail. The conviction forced the chief of Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK to resign as chief minister.

She appealed in the Karnataka High Court, which acquitted Ms Jayalalithaa on May 11 in the 19-year-old case.

(Agencies)

Karnataka cabinet decides to challenge acquittal of Jayalalithaa

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Jayalalithaa

Bengaluru: Ending three-week long suspense, Karnataka government today decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against acquittal of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and three others in the disproportionate assets case.

The decision to challenge the May 11 verdict by Justice C R Kumaraswamy of the Karnataka High Court was taken at a cabinet meeting after the advice by the Special Public Prosecutor in the case B V Acharya and state Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar as also the state Law Department.

“The Chief Minister has directed me to file an appeal in the Supreme Court immediately,” Law Minister Jayachandra said.

Replying to a query, he said Acharya will be the SPP in the case in the apex court.

He said the SPP appointed on the direction of the Supreme Court had advised filing the appeal against the acquittal of Jayalalitha and three others and even the AG and law Secretary had concurred with it.

“….And now the cabinet has decided to file the appeal,” he said, adding it was being done “legally on merit”.

The Supreme Court had specifically said Karnataka has stepped into the shoes of TN and it is the sole prosecuting agency for all matters related to the disproportionate assets case, he said.

In the May 11 verdict that restored Chief Ministership to her, Jayalalithaa was acquitted of “all charges” in the 19-year old disproportionate assets case. Three other convicts, including her close aide Sasikala Natarajan, were also given a clean chit by the High Court.

A fresh legal challenge to 67-year old Jayalalithaa has come nine days after she made a triumphant return as Chief Minister with O Panneerselvam making way for her following acquittal by the High Court.

The state government had a 90-day deadline to file the appeal.

Karnataka is the sole prosecuting agency in the case, which was transferred to Bengaluru from Tamil Nadu by the Supreme Court for a “fair” trial.

Justice Kumaraswamy had set aside the trial court’s judgement which had sentenced Jayalalithaa and three others to four years in jail and allowed the appeals by all the four convicts.

Special Court Judge Michael D Cunha had on September 27 last held Jayalalithaa and three others guilty of corruption and awarded four years jail term, due to which she attracted disqualification as an MLA that divested her of Chief Ministership.The judge had also slapped a fine of Rs 100 crore on Jayalalithaa and Rs 10 crore each on three other convicts.

Giving a clean chit to Jayalalithaa, Karnataka High Court had held that the judgement and findings recorded by the trial court convicting her and three others suffers from infirmity and it is not sustainable in law.

Acquitting Jayalalithaa and three others of “all the charges levelled against them”, the single bench judge Justice Kumaraswamy, in his 919-page judgement, had also quashed the order of the trial court relating to confiscation of the properties both movable and immovable.

On disproportionate assets, the judge had held that “it is relatively small. In the instant case, the disproportionate asset is less than 10 per cent and it is within permissible limit.”

“The percentage of disproportionate assets is 8.12 per cent,” the judge had said.

AIADMK’s bitter rival DMK had raised the pitch for filing the appeal against acquittal while the original petitioner Subramanian Swamy had also said he would move the Supreme Court if Karnataka does not challenge the High Court verdict.

(PTI)

Karnataka government to take call on appeal against Jayalalithaa's acquittal soon

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jayalalithaa

Bengaluru: Karnataka government would take a call “as early as possible” on “merits” on the issue of filing an appeal against acquittal of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case, State Law Minister TB Jayachandra said today.

“We had sought many clarifications and they have been answered by the Advocate General. On merits where are we – I am examining it, and I will take a final call as early as possible,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.

In the May 11 verdict that restored Chief Ministership of Tamil Nadu to her, Jayalalithaa was acquitted by the Karnataka High Court of “all charges” in the 19-year old disproportionate assets case.

Three other convicts, including her close aide Sasikala Natarajan, were also given a clean chit by the High Court.

Responding to questions, Jayachandra initially said, “We had sought some clarifications from Advocate General and we have received them. I will look into those recommendations and will take decision in three to four-days-time.”

But later, he said the decision would be taken “as early as possible.”

Jayachandra said the Advocate General has recommended to the government to file an appeal in the Supreme Court, but refused to share the details of Advocate-General’s views.

However, Jayachandra said, “As per law, 90 days is the limit. It is not even 15 to 20 days (since the verdict came), and … the law department has to go and study all aspects.”

Special Public Prosecutor BV Acharya also had advised the government to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against Jayalalithaa’s acquittal, saying it was a “fit case” to do so.

(Agencies)

State law department examining HC judgement on Jayalalithaa : Karnataka CM

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Photo: IE

Photo: IE

Bengaluru: Even as AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa returned to power today, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state law department is examining the judgement of the High Court which acquitted her of all charges and the government would take a decision on filing an appeal in the case after receiving the report.

“Our law department is examining the judgement of Karnataka High Court. After getting the report from law department, we will decide,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Asked whether he has spoken to AICC in this regard, the chief minister said, “No, the High command is not at all interfering in the state matters”.

Jayalalithaa was disqualified following her conviction in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets case by a trial court in Bengaluru on September 27. The Karnataka High Court had subsequently acquitted her of the charges on May 11 this year.

She was today sworn in for the fifth time as chief minister, nearly eight months after she was forced to quit over corruption charges.

Jayalalithaa takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for the fifth time

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Jayalalithaa

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa was today sworn in for the fifth time as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu amid celebrations by party cadres and supporters all over the state.

She returns to power nearly eight months after she was forced to quit over corruption charges.

Jayalalithaa took the oath in the name of God in Tamil in a simple function held at the University of Madras Centenary Auditorium here. Twenty-eight other ministers also took oath in a brief ceremony.

The 67-year-old AIADMK supremo was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor K Rosaiah.

Earlier, she arrived at the venue in a green saree and was welcomed by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Gnanadesikan with a bouquet.

Later, she introduced O Pannerselvam, Natham R Viswanathan and all other ministers before they were sworn in.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by BJP leaders including Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and national office bearer of the party H Raja. Actors Rajinikanth, Sarathkumar and eminent music composer Ilayaraja were among the long list of dignitaries who attended the function.

Jayalalithaa was disqualified following her conviction in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets case by a trial court in Bengaluru on September 27. The Karnataka High Court had subsequently acquitted her of the charges on May 11.

(Agencies)

Jayalalithaa set to return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after party lawmakers' meeting

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Jayalalithaa

Chennai: J Jayalalithaa was today elected by AIADMK lawmakers to take over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu at a party meeting in Chennai this morning. The 67-year-old leader, who was not present at the meeting, is likely to take oath tomorrow.

144 of 150 party lawmakers attended the meeting at the AIADMK headquarters where five rebel MLAs from actor-politician Vijayakanth’s DMDK were also present. Current chief minister O Panneerselvam headed straight to Ms Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence after the meeting. He is expected to resign today.

Nearly eight months ago, Ms Jayalalithaa was convicted in a corruption case and forced to step down in the midst of her third term as the state’s top leader.

Ms Jayalalithaa’s return as the head of the government was enabled by her acquittal earlier this month in the same case, and a party that has expressed its unwavering devotion to her in unabashed shows of sycophancy.

Ms Jayalalithaa was found not guilty of illicitly amassing wealth adding up to nearly Rs. 50 crore by the Karnataka High Court. She must win a state assembly seat within six months of taking over as Chief Minister.

The leader, who is known as “Amma” or “mother” will appear in public today for the first time after her acquittal to garland statues of AIADMK leaders including founder MG Ramachandran.

In a statement on Monday that broadly hinted at her plans, Ms Jayalalithaa had told party workers that “whatever our cadres wish will happen soon.”

When her replacement O Panneerselvam took over as Chief Minister, other AIADMK leaders and he wept through the swearing-in ceremony; when she was jailed, Ms Jayalalithaa’s enraged supporters set buses on fire; she has said more than 200 people killed themselves to protest against her incarceration.

(Agencies)

Jayalalithaa set to return as CM, calls MLAs' meeting on May 22

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Jayalalithaa

Chennai: AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa is all set to return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister soon for the fifth time following her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case and has convened a meeting of her party MLAs on May 22.

“Jayalalithaa will be elected unanimously as Leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party in a meeting to be held on May 22 at party headquarters here,” a top AIADMK source told PTI.

Earlier, in a brief press release, announcing the MLA’s meeting, Jayalalithaa said, “All MLAs should participate in the meeting without fail.”

Sources said Jayalalithaa will stake claim to form the government and assume office of chief minister anytime between May 22-24.

Incumbent Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s Cabinet will resign after getting the instructions of party chief at the appropriate time, they said.

Jayalalithaa first became the chief minister in 1991 with a huge majority in a sensational election which was held after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi near here by a woman LTTE suicide bomber on May 21, 1991.

Her second stint was from 2001-06 and during this period she was in the thick of handling several issues including the strike of state government employees.

In 2011, she assumed the coveted post of chief minister for the third time trouncing the arch rival DMK which was hit by the 2G Spectrum scandal.

On September 27 last year, a trial court in Bengaluru convicted her in the 19-year old disproportionate assets case which led to her disqualification as an MLA and exit as Chief Minister.

Her trusted lieutenant O Panneerselvam assumed charge as stop-gap chief minister. In similar circumstances, he took on the mantle of chief minister in 2001 and made way for his party supremo Jayalalithaa in 2002.

Decks were cleared for Jayalalithaa’s return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after the Karnataka High Court on May 11 acquitted her in the assets case.

The court had set aside her conviction by the trial court and the four-year jail sentence awarded to her and three others.

(PTI)

Subramanian Swamy to move SC against Jayalalithaa's acquittal if Karnataka doesn't do

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Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

Subramanian Swamy (Photo credit: Jagran)

Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today said he will move the Supreme Court next month against the acquittal of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in a grafts case if the Karnataka government did not do so by then.

“I have decided to file SLP (Special Leave Petition) in SC after June 1st if K’taka govt does not file. So no need to go to KHC (Karnataka High Court),” he tweeted.

The BJP leader’s statement comes two days after he had indicated on micro blogging site ‘Twitter’ that he could file an appeal in the apex court against Jayalalithaa and “prove that the KHC judgment is a ‘tragedy of arithmetic errors'”, adding she would have to resign as Chief Minister if she had taken over by then.

Swamy is the original complainant in the case. He had filed a case in 1996 against Jayalalithaa alleging that during her tenure as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996, she amassed properties disproportionate to her known sources of income.

The DMK government subsequently filed cases, including the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case, against Jayalalithaa which led to her conviction in September last by a special court.

The Karnataka High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa on Monday.

(Agencies)

Five labourers from Tamil Nadu hacked to death in Chamrajnagar

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Tamil-nadu-workers-hacked-to-death-in-karnataka

Chamarajanagara: Five persons including two women and a girl, all from Tamil Nadu, were brutally hacked to death near Harale village in Chamarajanagara district, some 100 kms away from TN border on Tuesday.

They are all agricultural labourers from Tamil Nadu and were camping in make-shift tents near sugarcane farm where they worked.

Police have given the names of deceased as Roja (11), Shivamma (35), Kashi (40), Rajendra (35) and Rajamma (35). They had been attacked with sickle and heavy objects. They were found dead when landlord Shekar arrived there early on Tuesday.

Kollegala rural police suspect drunken brawl over payment between the labourers and contractor Rajendra, who too was killed. The brawl ensued during wee hours of Tuesday resulting in brutal killing.

Police confirmed about 16 labourers from Tamil Nadu who had come to Karnataka in search of work and were staying at the farm near Harale village in Chamarajanagara district. Cops claim the rest have fled soon after the killing and suspect few in the group are involved in the heinous crime.

Chamarajanagara additional SP Muthuraj confirmed the murder of labourers including one at a farm house. The assailants have used sharp edged weapons and blunt objects to kill five people, all from Tamil Nadu.

(Agencies)

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