Jayalalithaa gets 4 yr-jail after conviction in corruption case

She has also been fined Rs 100 crore along with the jail sentence under prevention of corruption act. She would be taken into custody eventually.

Several cases of violent protests and arson were reported from Tamil Nadu soon after the verdict.

The AIADMK chief will have to resign as the CM owing to the conviction since a Supreme Court ruling in such cases makes it mandatory for lawmaker sentenced for more than two years to be disqualified from the office.

Jayalalithaa, 66, has been found guilty of corruption by the special court near the Bangalore Central Jail. She had flown down to Bangalore from Chennai to be present in the court.

The case was filed in 1996 by Subramanian Swamy, now a BJP leader, in 1996.

Jayalalithaa had already spent a few days behind the bars after she was arrested in the case about 18 years ago during the opposition DMK rule.

It was argued in the court that she had amassed property worth Rs. 66 crores - including 30 kg of gold, 12,000 saris and 2000 acres of land- despite not taking any salary as chief minister.

Soon after the judgement was announced, the supporters of Jayalalithaa took to the streets in Tamil Nadu. Protests also broke out outside the house of DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

Reports said stones were hurled at his residence.

Meanwhile, Subramanian Swamy told media that BJP will gain from the verdict since "I do not think people want her to come back again." He said his stand was vindicated.

Swamy said the Governor should take a call in the state and might go for President's Rule and prevent law and order breakdown.