OCTOBER 2014

Point
Out
NATIONAL PANORAMA
JAYALALITHAA SENTENCED
T
amil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the iron
woman of the state, has now to live with the
label of being the most corrupt politician in the
country. On September 27, 2014 a verdict by
a special court in Bangalore has pronounced Jayalalithaa
guilty of amassing wealth of Rs 66.65 crore — an amount
disproportionate to her known sources of income — during
her first term in office.
The court has sentenced her to four-year imprisonment and
a Rs 100-crore fine. This was unimaginable when the case
started 18 years ago.
Jayalalithaa is the first serving Chief Minister in India to be
convicted and disqualified as a legislator. This landmark
chapter in the saga of crimes and punishments in India
throws up many questions about the future of Tamil Nadu's
political landscape.
Following the amendment of the Representation of the
People's Act in 2001 ruling, she cannot contest an election
for the next six years from her date of release, leaving her in
political exile for the next 10 years.
She is disqualified from contest for the period of
imprisonment (four years) and six years thereafter. A total
of 10years. At the same time, she has the right of appeal. At
the time of appeal, the sentence is usually suspended, but in
rare, very rare cases, the court may grant stay of conviction.
In such a situation, it may be argued that by getting a stay
on conviction she has re-acquired the qualification to
contest and can contest a bye-election and get back to the
assembly.
Though, Jayalalithaa has moved the Karnataka High Court
for bail the matter is pending and her fate would hinge on
HC’s directives.
The award of sentence led to spontaneous reaction back
in Tamil Nadu with AIADMK supporters clashing with
DMK supporters and subsequently six people committing
suicide. While police has dealth with law and order
situation, AIADMK legislators got into a huddle and elected
Jaya loyalist O Paneerselvam as their leader. Paneerselvam
was later sworn in as the new Chief Minister of TN.
Reacting to the case and the verdict the original petitioner in
the case Subramanian Swamy said that he was always sure
that the court will give the right judgement and appropriate
sentence to Jayalalithaa. "Though it has been a little late,
justice has been delivered."
8
october 2014