The Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted AIADMK general secretary Sasikala and her two relatives, V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case. The court has sentenced them to a prison term of four years and imposed a fine of Rs 10 crore.
Sasikala cannot become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu now, or contest elections for 10 years, which includes the four years of prison term. She has also been asked by the Supreme Court to surrender immediately.
A bench of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitav Roy gave the verdict in the case on Tuesday.
“Amma’s sanctity has been defiled by betrayers,” the AIADMK’s Twitter handle said after the SC’s verdict.
The bench said since Jayalalithaa had expired, the proceeding against her was abated.
“Nevertheless, we reiterate that having regard to the facts, the charge framed against them by the trial court is restored,” the bench said.
Justice Amitava Roy said, “We have expressed deep concern about the escalating menace of corruption in society.”
After the verdict was pronounced, two more MLAs switched to Panneerselvam camp and he now has support of 12 MLAs, including himself.
Meanwhile, Sasikala called an emergency meeting of MLAs holed up in the Golden Bay resort and AIADMK appointed Edapadi K Palanisamy as the new party chief and expelled acting CM Panneerselvam from the primary membership of AIADMK.
AIADMK sent a letter to the Governor signed by MLAs supporting Palanisamy as the legislature party leader. “We have sent a letter to Governor and are awaiting his reply,” said Palanisamy.
Reactions:
Every Tamilian is happy Today after Supreme Court Judgement on #sasikala
Truth alone triumphs!!! #SasikalaConvicted— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) February 14, 2017
Dear Sasikala,
Happy Valentine’s Day
Love,
Supreme Court#Sasikala🌷 pic.twitter.com/jalAWsK0M4— Jagdish Ojha (@jagdishojha45) February 14, 2017
#sasikala has been convicted for corruption. She has to answer for #Amma death also Both cases don’t carry equal sentencing #JusticeForAmma
— Gautami (@gautamitads) February 14, 2017
