A trial court on Saturday convicted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case filed against her by the former DMK government in 1996.
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.
Court announced 4 year jail to Jaya and other three accused Jaya close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi and her nephew and the chief minister’s disowned foster son Sudhakaran.In a shocking move court imposed a fine of Rs.100 crore to Jaya
Jayalalithaa, who is 66, will have to resign as Chief Minister.The case against her is 18 years old and was filed originally by Subramanian Swamy, now a BJP leader; the case was pursued by Jayalalithaa’s arch rival, the DMK, after it came to power in Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalitha reported verdict sent shock waves among the AIADMK workers, while the DMK cadre celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.
Reports are emerging of some AIADMK supporters trying to commit suicide by self-immolation in parts of Tamil Nadu.
