Jayalalithaa loses plea to quash disproportionate assets case

New Delhi, May 11 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa urging it to quash the proceedings initiated by the Special Court against her in disproportionate assets case.

A bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar dismissed her plea that the Karnataka High Court had erred, while holding that the trial court order taking congnisance of the complaint on June 5, 1997, did not suffer from any illegality or irregularity.

Earlier on March 19, the apex court had ordered the resumption of Jayalalithaa's trial in the fourteen-year-old corruption case.

She had approached the apex court challenging the March 10 verdict of the Karnataka High Court.

In her lawsuit, Jayalalithaa contended the March 10 High Court order had glossed over the fact that the charge sheet against her was not able to make out any case against her.

The High Court had rejected Jayalalithaa's plea for quashing a 1997 order of a Chennai trial court, which took cognisance of Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption's complaint that she amassed wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income during that period.

The High Court had said Jayalalithaa was 'ably represented by eminent lawyers' and had participated in the trial of the case during which 200 witnesses were examined and cross-examined over a 13-year period. It is not open for her now to seek quashing of the proceedings on the premise that the order taking cognisance of the offence passed on 5th June, 1997, is a nullity and is not in accordance with law," it had said in the order.

Jayalalithaa is accused of amassing Rs.66.65 crore between 1991 and 1996 when she was the chief minister. (ANI)