Bail plea adjourned, 'Amma' stays in jail for now

The AIADMK chief moved the Karnataka HC on Monday seeking bail and suspension of the sentence ordered by the Special CBI court that convicted her for possessing wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income.

Appearing for Jayalalitha, noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani filed a criminal appeal in the high court seeking suspension of the sentence.

In her petition, Jayalalithaa has dismissed the allegations against her as politically motivated and filed a criminal revision petition challenging her conviction in the High Court.

Two interlocutory applications (I/A) have also been filed seeking stay on the conviction and bail. She has sought immediate bail also on grounds of ill-health.

Earlier on Saturday, Jayalalithaa, three others including her long-time associate Sashikala were convicted in the 18 year-old corruption case by a special court in Bangalore.

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

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.

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

The court found her guilty of misusing her office during her first stint from 1991 to 1996 to accumulate vast wealth that could not be accounted for by her declared sources of income.

It awarded four years’ of prison to former AIADMK supremo.

She has also been fined Rs 100 crore along with the jail sentence under prevention of corruption act.

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.

The AIADMK chief is lodged in VVIP cell number 23 in the Bangalore Central Prison at Parappana Agrahara since Saturday. 

There she is prisoner No 7402. 

Meanwhile, actors, directors and others from the film industry in Tamil Nadu are on a hunger strike in Chennai to protest against Jayalalithaa's arrest; popular actor Srikanth said they were demonstrating "support and solidarity" for 'Amma', who is a former actress.

Cinema theaters in Chennai also remain to be shut on Tuesday.

The AIADMK chief resigned as the CM as soon as the verdict was pronounced, 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.

On Monday, her loyal aide O Panneerselvam, 63, took over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

The new Chief Minister broke down while taking oath.

Many of the 32 ministers in the government also wept. 

It is noteworthy to mention that Panneerselvam has served as a replacement for his boss earlier as well. He took over as Chief Minister for her in 2001 when she had to step down for six months following her conviction in the TANSI land deal case.

Tamil Nadu votes for its next government in 2016.

Unless Jayalalithaa's conviction is overturned by a higher court, she will not be able to contest the state election.

Her party, the AIADMK, swept Tamil Nadu in the national election in May, and is now the third largest in Parliament.