Stalin hails Sasikala verdict as 'historic'

A division bench of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava Roy earlier restored Sasikala's conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

Chennai, Feb 14: DMK working president M K Stalin on Tuesday described the disproportionate assets case judgment convicting Sasikala Natarajan as 'historic' and called on Governor Vidyasagar Rao to take steps for forming a stable government in Tamil Nadu.

"Justice done after a long time, after about two decades. It is a historic judgment," Stalin said, adding that the verdict showed how politicians should conduct themselves in public life.

"The judgment shows that one cannot escape. In public life probity is very important. For all politicians, this will be a lesson," he said.

Following the verdict, Governor Vidyasagar Rao should take steps to form a stable government, he told reporters.

Asked on the stand that his party will take in the assembly in the event of a floor test, he merely said, "DMK's stand will be beneficial to the country."

In a major setback for Sasikala, who was aspiring to be the Tamil Nadu chief minister, the SC on Tuesday restored her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.

A division bench of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava 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.

Justice Roy, in a concurring judgment, expressed deep concern over the 'escalating menace of corruption in society'.

PTI