Jayalalithaa case: court extends time for transit, production of valuables

A special court trying the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in Bangalore on Saturday extended till January 20 the time-frame for the transit and physical production of valuables and other assets seized from her in 1997.

Special Court Judge John Michael D’Cunha extended the timeframe for the transit of the seized material from Chennai to Bangalore, observing that formalities were yet to be made.

On December 12, the court had ordered the transit of the seized material by December 21, stating it was required for giving fair justice.

A plea in this regard was filed by DMK General Secretary K. Anbazhagan before the court. In his application, Mr. Anbazhagan had pleaded that the court take custody of 800 kg silver, 28 kg gold, 750 pairs of shoes,10,500 sarees,91 watches and other items seized during a raid in 1997 as evidence.

Ms. Jayalalithaa’s advocates, however, labelled the plea as political vendetta and argued physical production was not mandated under law.

They also contended transiting the material would raise logistic and security concerns. Also, the DMK leader was a third party in the case and does not have any locus standi to seek production of materials.

They said the material had been filmed and it had also been declared in wealth tax and income tax filings by Ms. Jayalalithaa.

The AIADMK chief has been charged with amassing Rs 66.65 crore between 1991 and 1996 when she was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.