Jayalaithaa files bail application in SC

It has been learnt that AIADMK chief in her appeal cited her ill-health. Her lawyers filed the bail application and appealed the top court to show some leniency to 66-year-old Jayalalaithaa.

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, citing her corruption as violation of human rights.

While rejecting the bail plea of AIADMK chief, the Judge said that Jayalalithaa’s offence needs to seen as a violation of human rights.

The court also cited Supreme Court’s stance against corruption saying that the top court had sent out a clear message, to fast-track corruption cases.

“Amma”, as Jaya is called by her followers, had appealed for "immediate bail on health grounds, which the Karnataka HC quashed on Tuesday.

Earlier, On September 27, Jayalalithaa became the first sitting chief minister to be sent to jail after a special court in Bangalore found her guilty in the disproportionate assets (DA) case.

Jayalalithaa, three others including her long-time associate Sashikala Natarajan were convicted in the 18 year-old corruption case by a special court in Bangalore couple of weeks ago. Jaya is lodged in Bangalore prison where she has been Inmate No 7402 since late last month.

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

It was argued in the court that she had amassed property worth Rs. 66.65 crores - including 30 kg of gold, 12,000 saris and 2000 acres of land- despite not taking any salary as chief minister during her first term as chief minister from 1991 to 1996.

In reply, Jayalalithaa has said that she acquired her property and other assets through legal means, which was quashed by the special court.

The judge sentenced her to four years in jail, forcing her to abort her third term as Chief Minister since in a landmark ruling last year, the Supreme Court said law-makers convicted of serious criminal charges can no longer hold office.

Now, unless a higher court over-turns her conviction, she cannot run for election for 10 years.

Meanwhile, Jayalalithaa's arch rival and Tamil Nadu’s opposition leader, the 92 year-old DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Thursday commented that Jayalalithaa trapped herself in the net.

Speaking for the first time since the former CM has landed in Jail, Karunanidhi predicted that her "comeback to power can only be a dream. It would never be fulfilled.

"Jayalalithaa trapped herself in the net. She created a situation as if there's none to question her. Today, Jayalalithaa reads her own fall as a lesson. Unknowingly, Jayalalithaa has helped us in lifting the Dravidian movement," the DMK chief said.

It is to be noted that, DMK chief’s daughter MK Kanimozhi and two other DMK leaders A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran too face corruption charges in other cases.

Kanimozhi and Raja were in jail for about 2 years in relation to 2G spectrum case.