Jayalalithaa acquitted in DA case, expresses relief

Bengaluru, May 11: The Karnataka High Court has acquitted Jayalalithaa and all the other accused in the disproportionate assets case today. Celebrations erupted in Chennai outside Jayalalithaa's house after the judgment.

A special court had convicted her in the case and had sent her to jail in September 2014 following which she obtained conditional bail and was released.

Read the verdict copy here

2.25 pm: Defeat for those who conspired to defame and malign me, says Jayalalithaa

2.07 pm: "I don't consider it as a personal victory, justice has been established, dharma has won", says Jayalalithaa.

2.00 pm: "It has confirmed that I have done no wrong, case foisted by political enemies," says Jayalalithaa.

12.35 pm: Tamil Nadu CM Panneerselvam and his ministers meet Jayalalithaa at her residence.

12.25 pm: We cant do much about it because delays are done by accused: Subramanian Swamy on Jaya verdict

12.08 pm: Former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa's disqualification as MLA stands cancelled

12.04 pm: Karnataka government to read 918 page verdict before preparing appeal. The Karnataka government will hold a meeting with its legal team and decide on the next course of action.

11.52 am: J Jayalalitha likely to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM on 17th May.

11.45 am: B V acharya says interference was not needed. "We have given enough material to prove the charges against Jayalalithaa. The trial court has discussed the case in great detail. How the High Court has reversed that order and the reasoning, I will read the verdict and decide," Acharya said.

11.44 am: O Panneerselvam, the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu, will resign later today

11.30 am: Reasons for the verdict: Prosecution was unable to prove the disproportionate assets of Jayalalithaa.

The source of income has been proved satisfactorily by Jayalalithaa and others says High Court. Prosecution has not been able to prove the charges and not given satisfactory explanation on source of disproportionate income says High Court

11.22 am: An appeal will be filed in the Supreme Court by Subramanian Swamy, Karnataka Government and DMK leader Anbazhagan against the acquittal of Jayalalithaa and others

11.16 am: High Court disagrees with trial court verdict- Sets aside conviction and Rs 100 crore fine

11.13 am: We are proud says Jayalalithaa's lawyers. She will take over as CM in the next ten minutes her lawyers say as jubilant scenes don high court

11.07 am: Justice Kumaraswamy has acquitted Jayalalithaa and three others in connection with the disproportionate assets case. she can take over as the CM of TN now.

11.03 am: Karnataka HC acquits Jayalalithaa in 18-year-old disproportionate assets case

11.00 am: I expect that conviction will be upheld: Subramanian Swamy, BJP

10.58 am: Chennai: Outside AIADMK office

10.52 am: B V Acharya who just managed to get a seat inside the court hall tells OneIndia, that whatever outcome may be the matter will go to Supreme Court. State will prefer appeal if acquitted, Jaya will prefer special leave petition if convicted.

10.45 am: The police have allowed only the SPP and 15 advocates of Jayalalithaa and the three other accused into Court Hall-14

10.40 am: Court hall-14 is jam packed- Lawyers, journalists all edging each other to get a better view of Justice Kumaraswamy who is yet to preside over the Bench

10.29 am: BV Acharya (Special public prosecutor) reaches Karnataka HC.

10.28 am: Argument breaks out between lawyers and police. Police say only those who have filed a vakalath will be permitted inside.

10.23 am: Only advocates of the accused permitted inside the High Court. All others told to stay out and maintain calm. Police warn against rumour mongering. Most common question being asked to every journalist in High Court- Will Amma get bail. Most common answer- how do we know

10.16 am: Jayalalithaas' lawyers have entered Court No 14

10.07 am: Verdict to be pronounced in DA case; lawyers gathered outside karnataka HC.

9.59 am: Justice C Kumaraswamy has arrived at the Karnataka High Court. He has gone towards his chamber. Will reach the court hall at 11 am to deliver the verdict.

The fate of three others, Sasikala Natrajan, J Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran will also be decided today by the High Court. All of them were convicted along with Jayalalithaa by the trial court

9.56 am: Interesting quotes from Supreme Court- When Supreme Court struck down appointment of Special Public Prosecutor Bhavani Singh, it had said it is pertinent that the verdict satisfies the high standards of judicial accountability and objectivity set for the judge personally by the Supreme Court.

The duty of the judge is to consider the evidence objectively and dispassionately, the SC had said.

9.55 am: Jayalalithaa will not be present when the High Court delivers the verdict today. The rule does not mandate she be present before an appellate court.

9.50 am: The Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border is on high alert. Police of both states are patrolling the border areas.

9.45 am: Supporters of former Tamil Nadu CM, Jayalalithaa have started to throng the High Court premises. The police have permitted just one side of the entry for them. At the moment, the police have outnumbered the supporters.

9.34 am: Possible scenarios: If Jayalalithaa is acquitted today, she can take over as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister with immediate effect.

If convicted then she will have to prefer an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging her conviction.

9.30 am: 1000 police personnel deployed around High Court and Vidhan Soudha as prohibitory orders clamped. All security measures in place Bengaluru police commissioner, M N Reddi tells OneIndia.

9.24 am: Coimbatore: Verdict to be pronounced on DA case; special prayers offered by AIADMK supporters

9.02 am: Everything should be considered by Justice Kumaraswamy lordship, then the judgment has to be decided: Krishnamoorthy (Jayalalithaa's lawyer)

8.48 am: Security increased outside Jayalalithaa's residence & Karnataka HC ahead of verdict in disproportionate assets case

8.35 am: Chennai: Supporters gather outside Jayalalithaa's residence

8.30 am: Security tightened at Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa and Karnataka High Court ahead of verdict.

OneIndia News