The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Karnataka court impleads SPP

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Tuesday, Jun 28, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Karnataka court impleads SPP

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Karnataka High Court on Monday impleaded Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) B.V. Acharya as a respondent in the petition filed by Sasikala Natarajan, questioning the order of the Special Court, which is trying the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and others. Sasikala Natarajan's application seeking to recall a witness for re-examination was also rejected by the High Court.

Justice K.N. Keshavanarayana passed the order as Mr. Acharya filed a memo pointing out that any order passed by the High Court in any petition, arising out of the actions of the Special Court in the disproportionate assets case, was likely to cause prejudice to the prosecution if such orders were passed without hearing him as he was the SPP conducting the trial on the direction of the Supreme Court.

He filed the memo as the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Chennai, appointed lawyers from M/s M.T. Nanaiah Associates to represent it before the High Court in the petition filed by Ms. Sasikala.

Mr. Acharya also pointed out in the memo that the DVAC, during last five years when Ms. Jayalalithaa was not holding the office of Chief Minister, had entrusted him with the responsibility of defending the case even before the High Court.

He, however, said that the DVAC had now engaged lawyers from M/s M.T. Nanaiah Associates after Ms. Jayalalithaa, who is prime accused in the case, had assumed office of Chief Minister recently.

Meanwhile, senior counsel M.T. Nanaiah, who appeared for the DVAC, submitted the objection, filed by DVAC Deputy Superintendent of Police G. Sambandam, against petition filed by Ms. Sasikala.

In the objection, DVAC sought dismissal of the petition giving details of cross examination of witness N.V. Balaji, an auditor, on behalf of the accused persons.

The Special Court on June 3 dismissed Ms. Sasikala's plea to recall Balaji for re-cross-examination.

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