Jayalalithaa's plea in tax return case dismissed

Chennai, Feb.25 : A magistrate's court here today dismissed former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's petition seeking to discharge her from the 1993-94 Wealth Tax Returns case.

Economic Offences-I (EO-I), Magistrate R Prem Kumar dismissed the petition and said that the next hearing of the case would take place on March 17. He said that on that day witnesses would be examined.

The magistrate accepted the arguments of Special Public Prosecutor K Ramasamy that the evidence has not yet been recorded by examining the witnesses and the documents has not yet been taken in as evidence.

The points raised by the petitioner required appreciation of evidence which could be done only after the examination of witnesses. Hence, the point raised by the petitioner cannot be considered at the beginning stage, the magistrate said.

According to Income Tax department, Jayalalithaa had wilfully failed to file her wealth tax returns for assessment year 1993-94. Hence, an ex-parte assessment order was passed by the wealth tax officer, determining her wealth to the tune of Rs.1.35 crore and the wealth tax payable at Rs.1.91 lakh with interest. A complaint under the Wealth Tax Act of 1957 was filed on December 8, 1997, and the same was pending before the EO-I. (ANI with inputs)

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