A timeline of the Jayalalithaa DA case: 1996 to 2016

It is almost certain that the fate of Tamil Nadu politics and the elevation of Sasikala Natarajan as the chief minister would be dependent on the outcome of the Disproportionate Assets case in the Supreme Court. The SC will pronounce the verdict on Tuesday after Karnataka, the prosecuting state made a 'very' loud mention reminding the bench that the verdict had to be passed soon as orders had been reserved almost eight months ago.

When the trial court in Bengaluru convicted Jayalalithaa, it had also said that due to the long pendency of the case, she had the benefit of becoming chief minister twice. Will the same apply to Sasikala who was the second accused in the case? This case has had a long history and seen many twists and turns since 1996 when it was first filed. Let us take a look at how this case has turned out.

1996:

June 14: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy files complaint against Jayalalithaa
June 21: The principal district and sessions judge directs Letika Saran, Indian Police Service, to investigate the private complaint
June 18: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government directs the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption to register a first information report against Jayalalithaa for allegedly possessing unaccounted assets

1997:
June 4: Chargesheet filed in Chennai; Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets
Oct 21: Court frames charges against Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Sudhakaran, and Ilavarasi.

2002:
March: Jayalalithaa becomes chief minister

2003:
Feb 28, 2003: DMK leader K Anbazhagan files plea in SC seeking transfer of case.

Nov 18: Case transferred to Bengaluru
Dec 2003: Special court set up and B V Acharya named special public prosecutor. The trial is stayed to answer legal questions.

2010:
January 22: DA case commences as SC clears way
December: Witnesses re-examined.

2011:
May: Jayalalithaa becomes chief minister again
October: Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and two others appear in special court

2012:
August 13: Bhavani Singh appointed SPP after Acharya steps down
August 23: Singh's appointment questioned
August 26: Karnataka government removes Singh
August-September: Singh moves SC which reinstates him
September 30: Special Judge Balakrishna retires
October 29: Michael D Cunnha appointed special judge

2014:
August 28: Trial concludes
September 15: Jayalalithaa seeks shifting of court due to security reasons
Court shifted to central jail premises in Bengaluru
September 27: Jayalalithaa sentenced to four years jail and fined Rs 100 crore.
October 7: Karnataka HC rejects Jayalalithaa's bail plea
October 17: Jaya gets bail in SC
December 18: SC orders constitution of special bench in HC by four months to hear appeals

2015:
January 1: Special Bench of Justice C R Kumaraswamy constituted
January 6: Plea in SC to remove Singh as SPP
March 6: Arguments conclude
SC refuses to stay hearing in HC
March 11: Jayalalithaa, three others acquitted on
May 22: Jayalalithaa becomes CM once again
Karnataka files appeal in SC
Bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy hear plea

2016:
June 26: Supreme Court reserves plea

2017:

February 6: Karnataka makes mention in reminding SC to pass order

February 13: Supreme Court to pronounce order on February 14

February 14, 2017: Sasikala convicted, fined Rs 10 crore, and ordered to serve the remaining 3.6 years in jail as she has already spent 6 months.

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