SC to deliver its verdict on Jayalalithaa’s appeal next week

Former chief minister Jayalalithaa had appealed against her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

Wrapping up hearing in less than two days, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court said it would deliver on Monday its verdict on whether appeal by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa against her conviction and four-year jail term requires a fresh hearing by Karnataka High Court.

The bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said it wouldn’t delay the matter any further and would pronounce the judgement next week so that the future course of proceedings coukd be determined swiftly.

Following a split verdict by the two judges on the legality of the appeal proceedings in the High Court, the Chief Justice of India had set up the larger bench that started hearing the matter from Tuesday.

The three-judge-bench has to deliver its verdict on whether appearance of a special public prosecutor, who was appointed to conduct trial, was also authorised to argue in the appeal. If this bench decides that the prosecutor’s continuation had vitiated the appeal, the matter would require to be heard afresh in the High Court.

Source:: Indian Express