Current Affairs-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa gets four-year prison term, Rs. 100cr penalty

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa gets four-year prison term, Rs. 100cr penalty

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment and fine of Rs. 100 crore in the Rs. 66 crore disproportionate asset case in Bangalore on Saturday.

Special judge John Michale Cunha pronounced the sentence and the hefty fine on charges levelled against her by DMK General Secretary K. Anbazhagan in 1996.

Special Public Prosecutor G Bhavani Singh informed that Jayalalithaa and the three convicted persons were taken into judicial custody after the verdict and sent to a state-run hospital in the city for medical check-up. They will be lodged in Bangalore Central Jail. The fine will be recovered by attaching jewellery and other articles seized and kept in the court's custody.

Jayalalithaa has to move bail application in the high court where she can also appeal to quash the special court order.

The verdict in the 18 year old disproportionate wealth case of AIADMK General Secretary Ms. Jayalalithaa has opened a political debate from various angles.

Ms. Jayalalithaa who has been the State’s Chief Minister for the third time, will have to step down from her post today.

Already the AIADMK enjoys a thumping majority in the State Assembly and also is the third largest party to have 37 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.

It also has won a majority in the local body elections held recently. It was very difficult for other parties to register their political presence in the state. This includes their arch rival the DMK, DMDK, MDMK, PMK and the BJP.

Tamilnadu Governor Dr. K. Rosaiah held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and other secretaries and police officials and has ordered them to uphold the law and order situation in the State.