The Hindu : Stage set for sending documents

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Stage set for sending documents

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

CHENNAI, FEB. 17. With the Supreme Court today dismissing the petition by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the "disproportionate wealth cases" against her, the stage is set for sending documents to Bangalore, where a special judge will conduct the trial.

The documents will be despatched as soon as the apex court order is received, official sources told The Hindu .

When the apex court passed orders on November 18 last transferring the two wealth cases to the special court in Bangalore, the task of arranging and numbering the various documents filed in the court of the special judge-I here began. The work has been completed and the order of the Supreme Court, which was passed today, is awaited.

About 2,300 exhibits have been marked before the special court. Besides these, a deluxe bus, silver plates, over 90 wristwatches and albums containing photographs of the wedding of V.N. Sudhagaran, disowned foster son of Ms. Jayalalithaa, with Sathyalakshmi, granddaughter of the late cine actor, Sivaji Ganesan, and their engagement have been marked. The gold ornaments seized by officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) are now in court custody and have been kept in the Reserve Bank of India here. The sources say it is not immediately known whether the jewellery too will have to be taken to Bangalore.

The DVAC has filed charge sheets against Ms.Jayalalithaa in the "Rs.66.65-crore disproportionate assets case" and the "London hotels case," which has not been numbered yet.

Though the Supreme Court made it clear that the case was being transferred out of Chennai and identified Bangalore, there was some uncertainty as Ms. Jayalalithaa filed a review petition. Now, the uncertainty has ended and the Chief Minister will have to prepare herself to appear before the Bangalore special court, whenever her appearance in person is called for.

DMK, AIADMK reactions

Lawyers of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling today. A senior advocate said: "It is only fair that the trial is held on neutral ground. The problem in Tamil Nadu is that in this case, the trial judge is appointed by the Government, the defence and the prosecution are also appointed by the accused and report to her. It is for that reason that the issue was taken to the apex court."

The reaction in All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam circles was guarded. A senior party lawyer said, "It was only because of the hostile environment in Karnataka and the Cauvery crisis that our leader wanted another centre. She has fought all her cases and emerged unscathed. We are sure to come out successful in this case also."

Enquiries here show that it can take some time for the actual trial to begin. Apart from the remaining arrangements in Bangalore and the appointment of a prosecutor, logistics will have to be worked out. Given the distance and flying time, Ms. Jayalalithaa will be able to go there in time for the hearing and return to Chennai the same day. But some of the witnesses may be required to stay on there until their examination is completed. With a general election round the corner, a clearer picture will emerge over the next few weeks, say legal circles.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu