Jayalalithaa asked to appear before Karnataka trial court

New Delhi, Sep 12: J Jayalalithaa, chief minister, Tamil Nadu has been directed by the Supreme Court to appear personally before a trial court in Karnataka on Oct 20 in a disproportionate assets case filed against her.

Deepak Verma and Dalveer Bhandari, the standing justice left it to the trial court judge to decide whether her bail plea should be examined at a separate building than at regular court keeping in mind the security conditions.

The apex court also said that the controlling judge would make sure that the Chief Minister is examined in proper environment and however, denied her plea for exemption from appearing personally, terming it delaying tactics.

Jayalalithaa had earlier exempted from appearing in person for recording her statement under section 313 (Criminal procedure ground) on grounds that it posed threat to her security.

Appearing for the Chief Minister, senior counsel Harish Salve said that the trial court had mistakenly rejected her plea for exemption from appearing personally adding that section 313(5) of the CrPC granted liberty to an accused to answer the questions in writing.

Jayalalithaa also said that ever since she became the Chief Minister, it became difficult for her to appear before the trial court as there were certain security threat perceptions.

The disproportionate assets case against Jaya alleges that she amassed assets worth over Rs 66 crore between 1991-1996.

OneIndia News