April 25, 2024 12:29 (IST)
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Jaya reaches Chennai to grand welcome after 21 days in jail
Bengaluru/Chennai, Oct 18 (IBNS): Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa arrived in Chennai amid a grand welcome by her party cadres on Saturday evening after spending 21 days in a Bangalore prison following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.
As her special flight landed at the Chennai airport, AIADMK cadres assembled in large numbers and shouted 'Long Live Amma'.
Her party workers formed human chain from the airport to the former CM's bungalow in the Poes Garden area to give their 'Amma' a warm welcome.
The AIADMK supremo was released from Bangalore Central Prison after staying there for about three weeks since she was convicted on Sept 27 by a Bangalore special court.
Outside the prison gate, Jayalalithaa was received by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Pannerselvam on Saturday and a few cabinet ministers.
Pannerselvam, who replaced Jayalalithaa as Tamil Nadu chief minister after her conviction, reached Bangalore in the morning to receive her.
According to reports, Jayalalithaa’s release orders were issued by the special court earlier in the day.
Release order of three other convicts in the case was also issued by the special court.
The special court’s release order were present before the jail authorities and after completion of the formalities, Jayalalithaa and other other three were release around 3.30 pm.
From there Jayalalithaa headed straight to airport to board the flight to Chennai on a chartered plane.
As a security measure, over 200 policemen have been deployed at the Chennai airport.
Jayalalithaa and three others were convicted in the 18 year-old corruption case by a special court in Bangalore.
The case was filed in 1996 by Subramanian Swamy, now a BJP leader. It was argued in the court that she had amassed property worth Rs. 66.65 crores - including 30 kg of gold, 12,000 saris and 2000 acres of land- despite not taking any salary as chief minister.
In reply, Jayalalithaa had said that she acquired her property and other assets through legal means, which was quashed by the special court.
The case against her was transferred in 2001 from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring Karnataka on the orders the Supreme Court.
On Sept 27, the special court convicted Jayalalithaa after finding her guilty of amassing wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income during her first tenure as chief minister from 1991 to 1996. 66-year-old Jayalalithaa was convicted by the special court on September 27.
Her friend Sasikala Natarajan and two others were also given jail terms.
Following her conviction, Jayalalithaa was disqualified as a legislator in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling and had to step down as TN’s Chief Minister.
The court sentenced her to four years in jail and imposed a fine of Rs. 100 crore. Jayalalithaa had sought bail on account of her age and health. She said she suffers from diabetes, hypertension, cellulitis and other ailments.
The top court granted her conditional bail.
While granting bail, the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu directed her counsel, constitution expert Fali Nariman that the adoring workers of her party, the AIADMK, respect law and order in Tamil Nadu and not resort to violence.
The AIADMK chief, followed by the apex court's directive, urged her party workers to remain calm and not resort to violence.
The SC on Friday asked Jayalalithaa’s lawyers to ensure that all paperwork for her appeal is completed by December 18 or her bail could be cancelled.
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