(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Karnataka High Court rejects ex-CMs bail plea despite reports about prosecutors no objection AIADMK activists protest verdict.
One of the AIADMK supporters tearing up a controversial poster against Kannadigas in Chennai. — Photo by Sandhya Ravishankar
Tamil Nadu went from firecrackers and sweets to stone pelting and violence within an hour. As news reports trickled in that public prosecutor Bhavani Singh informed the Karnataka High Court that he had no objection to conditional bail AIADMK cadre swung into celebrations across the state. The television media too reported that Jayalalithaa had been granted bail. Within an hour however details of the actual order given by Justice Chandrashekhara came out. No bail for Jayalalithaa it said. And the violence began.
AIADMK cadre pelted stones at buses in Trichy Palani as well as in Chennai. Party workers at Jayalalithaa’s residence in Poes Garden as well as in the party headquarters wailed and sobbed. “Our leader has been cheated” sobbed one party worker. “What will we do now It is a political conspiracy” he cried.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam under fire from the Opposition for giving free reign to protesting AIADMK cadre issued a statement minutes after bail was denied. “Our leader Amma would not like any activities that will cause hardship to the people of Tamil Nadu” said the statement. “Hence my request is that no one should indulge in shutting down shops or in striking work. Only this will be a display of our endless love affection and respect for Amma.”
Jayalalithaa was convicted and jailed on September 27 for being in possession of Rs53 crore of unaccounted wealth.
The Special Court had handed her a four-year jail sentence with a fine of Rs100 crore. Her aide Sasikala estranged foster son Sudhakaran and Sasikala’s niece Elavarasi too were convicted in the same case with four-year sentence each and a fine of Rs10 crores per person.
While denying bail Justice Chandrashekhara observed: “The Supreme Court has in recent times held that corruption is a violation of human rights and leads to an economic crisis.
The Apex Court has also held that cases of corruption should be disposed off early. In the case of Laloo Prasad Yadav bail was granted because he was already in jail for 10 months.” The court also quoted several precedents in Supreme Court to deny suspension of sentence.
Jayalalithaa’s counsel Ram Jethmalani had argued for immediate bail saying that his client was 66 years old and in poor health. He had also argued that she was a law-abiding citizen and that the case was foisted on her due to a political conspiracy. The judge however was unconvinced.
Senior leaders of the AIADMK were unanimous in condemning the denial of bail. “We are all very worried” said a senior leader on condition of anonymity. “We have two options — go to the Karnataka High Court bench next or to the Supreme Court. But now prospects look very bleak. There is a big political conspiracy happening behind the scenes” he said.
Political hawks though surprised call it a good move by the courts. “I welcome the court taking stern attitude towards corruption as being anti-social activity and being against human rights” said Gnani Sankaran political analyst. “This must send an important message to all politicians that corrupt politicians cannot get away so easily. At the same time I want them to fast track appeal hearings so that convicts do not languish in jail for a long time. Appeals should be over in a month. She was out for 18 years enjoying freedom while the trial was going on so she can stay in jail for a month and dispose of it completely” he said.
The bigger worry though is what will happen next. For the past 11 days Tamil Nadu has seen continuous protests and sporadic violence by the members of the ruling party. On Tuesday posters sprung up across Chennai stating “Release Amma immediately. Otherwise we will hold hostage Kannadigas living in Tamil Nadu.” AIADMK’s Youth Brigade Secretary Murali Krishnaprasad told Khaleej Times “We condemn this poster.
“We have not authorised it. The person who has printed it and put it up was expelled from the party much earlier. You can be sure the party will take action against him soon.”
Although the AIADMK was quick to deny responsibility and in fact tore up the offending posters concerns remain that the issue could snowball into an inter-state flare-up. “The AIADMK is going to find it very difficult there are second rung leaders who now have to prove their competence in running government. Jayalalithaa cannot even run the government by remote control sitting in jail. We are going to have to wait and see what happens at the Supreme Court” Gnani told Khaleej Times.
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