NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed charge sheet against the AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and two former Ministers, K. A. Sengottaiyan and Alagu Thirunavukkarasu under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

While Ms. Jayalalithaa, a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, was chargesheeted under Section 11 of the PCA, her former Cabinet colleagues face charges under Section 12 of the PCA.

The charge sheet was filed in the court of the Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, Chennai. The case is that she had accepted demand drafts, cash and jewellery worth Rs. 4.11 crore on her birthday in 1991, 1992 and 1993 and claimed them as gifts in income tax returns.

She also accepted a remittance of $3 lakh by way of a demand draft issued by ANZ Grindlays Bank, Channel Islands, drawn on Bankers Trust Company, New York, for which she claimed exemption under the Foreign Exchange (Immunity) Scheme, 1991.

The investigation claimed that she accepted 89 demand drafts worth Rs. 2 crore drawn on various banks in Tamil Nadu. They were purchased in the names of 57 persons.

The demand drafts and cash were credited to her savings bank account with Canara Bank, Mylapore branch.

Of the 89 drafts purchased in the names of 57 persons, 12 persons were found to be fictitious and 12 others denied the purchase of drafts in their names and 33 confirmed the purchase of the drafts, the charge sheet said.

Of 33 persons who gifted the drafts to Ms. Jayalalithaa, 21 persons were MLAs, Ministers and AIADMK leaders. It is also alleged that Mr. Sengottaiyan and Mr. Thirunavukkarasu abetted Ms. Jayalalithaa to accept valuable gifts.

With regard to the allegation of accepting $ 3 lakh by her, it is claimed that the draft was sent by Dr. KTB Menon, a non-resident Indian settled in London.

The amount for the draft was transferred from the accounts of M.A.M. Ramaswamy, Chettinad House, maintained with ANZ Grindlays Bank, Channel Islands.

Mr. Ramaswamy violated the provisions of FERA 1973. A report has been sent by the CBI to the Finance Ministry.

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