Sasikala’s conviction: Triumph against corruption; reinforces belief in judiciary

The Supreme Court's verdict on the disproportionate assets case against Sasikala Natarajan has been welcomed by all.

Chennai/New Delhi, Feb 14: It took Indian judiciary almost two decades to convict Sasikala Natarajan and three of her accomplices, including Late Jayalalithaa, in the disproportionate assets case. Finally, on Tuesday, when the Supreme Court gave its judgement on the much-awaited case the nation heaved a sigh of relief.

"Justice has been delivered," is what most were heard saying, especially on various social media platforms.

"Justice has been done. The judgement shows how strong and independent is our judiciary," former advocate general BV Acharya told ANI. "This is a great success for the people of Tamil Nadu. It is a victory of truth and judicial system," added Tamilan Prasanna, a leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

At the heart of the judgement is the apex court's verdict against rising corruption in the country. Justice Amitava Roy, one of the two judges who gave the verdict, in a concurring judgement, expressed deep concern over the 'escalating menace of corruption in society'. "We have expressed deep concern about escalating menace of corruption in society," Justice Roy said.

The SC on Tuesday restored Sasikala's conviction in the disproportionate assets case. A division bench of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Roy set aside a Karnataka High Court order staying the conviction of Sasikala and three by a trial court.

The court directed Sasikala and the others to 'immediately' surrender before the trial court and ordered them to serve the remaining portion of their jail term. Amid pin-drop silence, Justice Ghose, before pronouncing the judgment, said "You can understand (that it is) too much of a fatty judgment. We have taken the burden on us."

OneIndia News