CBI files chargesheet against Jayalalithaa, ministers in DD case

New Delhi/Chennai, July 31 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation today filed a chargesheet against Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and two of her erstwhile Cabinet colleagues under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the receipt of demand drafts (DD) worth several crores as 'gifts'.

The chargesheet filed under Section 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 in connection with a case registered in 1996, alleged acceptance of demand drafts, cash and jewellery by the former CM on her birthday between 1991-93.

The two former Cabinet Ministers -- K A Sengottaiyan and Azhagu Thirunavukarasu -- have been charged under Section 12 of the same Act for abetting the then CM in accepting the 'gifts'.

After obtaining permission from Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R Avudaiyappan, the CBI filed the more than 2000-page charge sheet before the Principal Special Judge trying CBI cases here.

Judge Meenakshi Sundaram accepted the charge sheet for verification and issuance of process.

The CBI, which arraigned the former AIADMK Ministers as two other accused in the case, had enclosed 285 documents in support of the charge sheet citing 149 witnesses.

A Delhi-based Superintendent of Police from the agency, had handed over a letter and a 180-page report, giving details of the investigation done by the agency in the case, to the Speaker's secretary here on June 23, and sought permission to file the chargesheet.

The CBI had sought the permission as the Supreme Court, had made it clear that permission was required from the presiding officers, when chargesheet was to to be filed against elected representatives like MPs and MLAs.

The speaker, after consulting the Advocate General and obtaining legal opinion, accorded permission last week, following which, the CBI filed the chargesheet today.

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