Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa

BENGALURU: AIADMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa scored a sensational legal victory on Monday, as the Karnataka high court acquitted her of all corruption charges in the 19 year old Rs 66.65-crore disproportionate assets case that had been hanging like an albatross around her neck for nearly two decades.

Justice C R Kumaraswamy overturned the September 27, 2014 verdict of a special court in Bengaluru. The judge also acquitted her associates – Sasikala Natarajan, her niece Ilavarasi, her nephew and the chief minister’s disowned foster son Sudhakaran.

When the judge read out the word ‘acquitted,’ AIADMK lawyers rose in unison and greeted him with folded hands. They trooped out of court halls shouting “Amma Vaazgha…Amma Vaazgha”
Bengaluru special judge John Michael Cunha had sentenced Jayalalithaa to four years in jail and fined Rs 100 crore on September 27, 2014. She was convicted in the disproportionate assets case that was launched by Subramanian Swamy on 20 August 1996.

The special court had sentenced Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran to four years in jail and fined Rs 10 crores each.

The judgement by the special court had disqualified her from the post of CM and legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu.

Now, her acquittal by the Karnataka high court means she can assume the chief minister’s post. ​Jayalalithaa is expected to address the press on Monday.

AIADMK supporters started celebrations as soon as the high court pronounced it verdict. They celebrated sweets.

A large number of her supporters assembled in front of Jayalalithaa’s residence in Chennai, expecting she will greet them soon.

The party workers, who have been praying for her acquittal in the case, broke coconuts as thanksgiving.

TOI | May 11, 2015

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