Karnataka hurries to appoint Special Judge to effect Sasikala's surrender
BENGALURU: Soon after the Supreme Court convicted AIADMK chief VK Sasikala, her nephew VN Sudhakaran and sister-in-law J Elavarasi in the Disproportionate Assets case, here in Bengaluru, preparations got underway to appoint a judge to the special court that tried the case in the trial stage.
The judge's post has been vacant ever since John Michael Cunha -- who conducted the trial and passed the conviction order -- was elevated to the Karnataka High Court , first as its Registrar General, and then as sitting judge. With the SC directing the accused to surrender before the trail court, Karnataka's Chief Justice, Advocate General and Registrar General are in a huddle, looking to fill the vacancy in the special court.
"We will try to issue the notification today itself," Advocate General Madhusudan Naik told ET.
B V Acharya who was Special Public Prosecutor in the case, said about the order: "It sends good message to corrupt politicians and bureaucrats that no matter how mighty and powerful they may be, they can't avoid the clutches of law because our judiciary is strong and the law will catch you."
A special court in Bengaluru passed the order on September 27, 2014, convicting late Jayalalithaa, Sasikala et al, on a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 1996. The Karnataka High Court, on May 11, 2015, set aside the special court order, following which the state government filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Additional Advocate General AS Ponnanna said that once the appointment of the special judge takes place, Sasikala should surrender before the special court. If she failed to do so, the special court may issue a warrant against her and also direct the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials in Tamil Nadu to arrest her
Meanwhile, at Parappanan Agrahara Central Prison:
Extra security personnel were deployed outside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, in the wake of Sasikala's conviction and return to serve her jail term. Jail staff and convicts were also seen cleaning the approach road to the prison. Jail authorities were expecting Sasikala's supporters to arrive in large numbers.
The judge's post has been vacant ever since John Michael Cunha -- who conducted the trial and passed the conviction order -- was elevated to the Karnataka High Court , first as its Registrar General, and then as sitting judge. With the SC directing the accused to surrender before the trail court, Karnataka's Chief Justice, Advocate General and Registrar General are in a huddle, looking to fill the vacancy in the special court.
"We will try to issue the notification today itself," Advocate General Madhusudan Naik told ET.
B V Acharya who was Special Public Prosecutor in the case, said about the order: "It sends good message to corrupt politicians and bureaucrats that no matter how mighty and powerful they may be, they can't avoid the clutches of law because our judiciary is strong and the law will catch you."
A special court in Bengaluru passed the order on September 27, 2014, convicting late Jayalalithaa, Sasikala et al, on a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 1996. The Karnataka High Court, on May 11, 2015, set aside the special court order, following which the state government filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Additional Advocate General AS Ponnanna said that once the appointment of the special judge takes place, Sasikala should surrender before the special court. If she failed to do so, the special court may issue a warrant against her and also direct the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials in Tamil Nadu to arrest her
Meanwhile, at Parappanan Agrahara Central Prison:
Extra security personnel were deployed outside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, in the wake of Sasikala's conviction and return to serve her jail term. Jail staff and convicts were also seen cleaning the approach road to the prison. Jail authorities were expecting Sasikala's supporters to arrive in large numbers.
