The Karnataka High Court on Monday acquitted AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa of all corruption charges, cancelling her conviction by trial court.
With new judgement in place, Jayalalithaa is all set to return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
“Justice has won,” the former Tamil Nadu chief minister gloated hours after a special bench in Bengaluru acquitted her in the Rs.66.65 crore case in which she was sentenced to four years in jail by a lower court.
Meanwhile the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Panneerselvam who took charge as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu after Jayalalithaa was forced to step down in September 2014 is likely to resign on Monday evening.
“I am immensely satisfied with the verdict. The verdict paved way for me to emerge like tested pure gold,” said Jayalalithaa after the verdict. “Justice has prevailed… the DMK’s vendetta has finally failed. It has confirmed that I have done no wrong, case foisted by political enemies,” she added.
ALSO READ: Jayalalithaa’s Journey- From Actress to Amma
UPDATES:
#JayaVerdict | Celebrations galore after HC acquits #Jayalalithaa, supporter bathes her poster with milk | (Pic: ANI) pic.twitter.com/nSKURjF9K7
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Defeat for those who conspired to malign the legacy of me and my mentor #MGR: #Jayalalithaa | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | I have emerged like the purest form of gold, says #Jayalalithaa on #Karnataka HC order | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
After getting acquittal from Karnataka High Court, J Jayalalithaa reacts to court decision saying she is satisfied with the verdict.
#JayaVerdict | Don’t consider judgement as a personal victory. Justice restored | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/9YUGMIcrhO
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Judgement shows that I have not committed any wrong. This is God’s boon for people of #TamilNadu, says #Jayalalithaa
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Completely satisfied by #Karnataka HC judgement, it has eliminated charges against me: #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/nbaGPJifuJ
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Jubilant #AIADMK supporters celebrate outside party headquarters after court acquits #Jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/hN5AhGCmq4
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Normally I didn’t expect this verdict, but so many judgments are surprising: BV Acharya (Pic/ANI) pic.twitter.com/dklJCNonwg — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Prosecution has been denied opportunity to have oral arguments: BV Acharya Special Public Prosecutor pic.twitter.com/xKbHJdQs4L
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | #TamilNadu CM O Panneerselvam likely to submit resignation later today | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/I1tulE1jaD — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | #AIADMK MPs break down outside #Parliament as #Karnataka HC acquits #Jayalalithaa | (Pic: ANI) pic.twitter.com/NN3c4ibTX7
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | #TamilNadu CM O Panneerselvam reaches #Jayalalithaa‘s residence after #Karnataka HC order | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | @Swamy39 likely to move #SupremeCourt against #Karnataka HC decision acquitting #Jayalalithaa | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | Am surprised and shocked by HC decision to acquit #Jayalalithaa: @Swamy39 | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/wiMKkx8hYH — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | Proven in #Amma case, truth always triumphs, says #Jayalalithaa‘s lawyer | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/CUpfoiQBbK
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | #Jayalalithaa to return as #TamilNadu CM after relief by #Karnataka HC | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/DFr9gXkFk6 — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | #AIADMK celebrates in #Chennai as #KarnatakaHC acquits #Jayalalithaa | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/R42cJZJNp1
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#BREAKING | #AIADMK chief #Jayalalithaa acquitted by #Karnataka HC in DA Case | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/vQrmtA5OcS — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
Expect #Jayalalithaa‘s DA case conviction will be upheld by #Karnataka HC: @Swamy39 | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/pZJDZgeUd3
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | #AIADMK chief #Jayalalithaas‘ lawyers reach #Karnataka HC courtroom | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/6x8lWmC9HV — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | #AIADMK chief #Jayalalithaas‘ lawyers reach #Karnataka HC courtroom | LIVE | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/6x8lWmC9HV — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
Over 3000 special reserve police personnel deployed in #Chennai ahead of #JayaVerdict | READ | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt pic.twitter.com/clEbJxAbrc — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#Bengaluru police issue prohibitory orders in 1-km radius around #Karnataka HC ahead of #JayaVerdict | READ | http://t.co/DS8OreWZyt — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | #AIADMK supporters offer prayer in #Coimbatore ahead #Jayalalalithaa DA Case verdict | (Pic: ANI) pic.twitter.com/FVp3rucjfe — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict| Security up at #Jayalalithaa‘s house, #Karnataka HC ahead of DA verdict | READ | http://t.co/DS8OrfeAX3 pic.twitter.com/4U09inqCJr — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
#JayaVerdict | Supporters gather outside #Chennai residence of #AIADMK chief #Jayalalithaa ahead of #Karnataka HC verdict in DA case — Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) May 11, 2015
According to legal circles, the 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 verdict sentencing them to four years in jail and imposing a hefty fine of Rs 100 crore on her and Rs 10 crore each on three others.
An acquittal would enable a big political comeback for Jayalalithaa, who has waged many legal battles and seen several ups and downs in her political career.
An adverse outcome, on the other hand, would accentuate uncertainty and cause more worries about the future of the AIADMK leader and her personality-based monolithic party.
She will remain disqualified under the Representation of the People Act from contesting lections for a period of 10 years–four years from the date of conviction and six years thereafter, unless a superior court sets aside the conviction.
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.
Anticipating arrival of thousands of AIADMK supporters from Tamil Nadu on the verdict day, city police have clamped prohibitory orders in one km radius of the High Court from 6 AM to 6 PM tomorrow, apart from beefing up security.
