(correcting designations)

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed the appeal filed by the state of Tamil Nadu against the Madras High Court judgement giving clean chit in a corruption case to the former Tamil Nadu Transport Minister K A Sengottaiyan, former Managing Director of Jeeva Transport Corporation (JTC), a Government of Tamil Nadu undertaking, M Veerappan and one close associate of the then AIADMK minister, M R Natrajan.

A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and Markandey Katju dismissed the appeal on the ground of delay in filing the appeal and told the government "fight your political battle through elections and not through the Court." The three were convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act and were sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment each. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the then MD of JTC, Rs 105,000 to the then AIADMK minister and a fine of Rs 95,000 was imposed on the accused no. 3 by the special judge Chennai on August 4, 2000.

The High Court, however, reversed the trial court order and acquitted all three vide judgement dated February 18, 2005.

The then Jayalalitha Government did not file any appeal in the Supreme Court but with a change of government in the state Karunanidhi government preferred an appeal against the High Court judgement which was barred by limitations as an appeal has to be filed within 90 days from the date of the High Court judgement.

The accused had caused a loss of Rs 20,188,910 to JTC by bungling in the purchase of bus body kits and seat assemblies by placing orders to their favourites in gross voilation of rules.

UNI AKS/SC PDM RP KN1731