SC convicts Sasikala to 4 year jail term in DA case; DMK, BJP & PMK welcome verdict
AMN
AIADMK General Secretary and a contender for the post of Tamil Nadu chief ministership V K Sasikala has been convicted by the Supreme Court . The apex court today set aside the Karnataka High Court verdict acquitting her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case that also involved late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The apex court restored in toto the judgement and the findings of the trial court in Bengaluru which had held guilty all the accused including Sasikala’s two relatives, V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi.
The two-judge bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy directed Sasikala and the two relatives to surrender forthwith to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of four year jail term.
Today’s verdict disqualifies Sasikala from becoming a legislator, and she can’t be the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister either. She is locked in a power struggle with acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam over government formation in the state. Ms Sasikala was elected as the AIADMK’s legislature party leader last week, paving way for her to become the Chief Minister. Panneerselvam had, however, revolted against Ms Sasikala saying he was forced to resign.
Meanwhile Security has been tightened across Tamil Nadu after the Supreme Court verdict on Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case.
Police presence was especially stepped up at a resort, about 80 kms from Chennai, where MLAs supporting her have been housed since the past few days.
Sasikala herself stayed overnight at the resort.
Police personnel were also seen maintaining vigil on the roads in Chennai and other parts of the state.
The apex court today quashed the Karnataka High Court verdict acquitting Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case and asked her to surrender herself forthwith.
She was elected as the Legislature Party Leader on February 5, paving the way for her becoming Chief Minister.
However, two days later, Panneerselvam raised a banner of revolt against her, alleging he was forced to step down for her.