April 24, 2026 03:40 am (IST)
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Jayalalitha acquitted in assets case, can return as Chief Minister
Bengaluru, May 11 (IBNS) Reversing a judgement of conviction by a trial court last September, the Karnataka High Court on Monday acquitted former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case going back to more than 18 years, thus paving the way for her return as the Chief Minister of the southern state.
The verdict came as a big relief to the AIADMK supremo and a set back to her opposition. Celebrations by her supporters broke out outside her residence in Chennai.
Jaya's lawyer B Kumar said the case against her couldn't be proved and hence she has been let off.
Rabi Bernard, AIADMK MP, told journalists outside Parliament in New Delhi: "We were very certain that Amma will be acquitted. This was a political vendetta."
"We were very confident because Amma was never been doing anything wrong," he said.
She will now have a greater role to play, not just as chief minister but also in nation building, said Bernard.
Another party leader said in Chennai: "Today is Mother's Day for me."
The court had sentenced her to four years in jail and fined her Rs. 100 crore.
She has been on bail for eight months.
As a result of the earlier verdict she was also disqualified as a lawmaker and had to step down as chief minister.
Jayalalitha can now return to become chief minister again. If the conviction was upheld, she would have to go to jail.
Jayalalithaa and three others were convicted in the 18 year-old corruption case by a special court in Bengaluru last Sept. The case was filed in 1996 by Subramanian Swamy, now a BJP leader.
It was argued in the court that she had amassed property worth Rs. 66.65 crores - including 30 kg of gold, 12,000 saris and 2000 acres of land- despite not taking any salary as chief minister.
In reply, Jayalalithaa had said that she acquired her property and other assets through legal means, an argument which was quashed by the special court.
The case against her was transferred in 2001 from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring Karnataka on the orders the Supreme Court.
On Sept 27, 2014 the special court convicted Jayalalithaa after finding her guilty of amassing wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income during her first tenure as chief minister from 1991 to 1996.
Her friend Sasikala Natarajan and two others were also given jail terms.
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