Jayalalithaa walks out of prison, flies home

According to reports, AIADMK supremo released from Bangalore Central Prison after staying there for about three weeks since she was convicted on September 27 by a Bangalore special court. It has been learnt that, outside the prison gate, Jayalalithaa was received by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Pannerselvam and a few cabinet ministers. Pannerselvam, who replaced Jayalalithaa as Tamil Nadu chief minister after her conviction, had reached Bangalore in the morning to receive her.

Media reported, Jayalalitha’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. Meanwhile, hundreds of her supporters have assembled outside the Chennai Airport to welcome her. As a security measure, over 200 policemen have been deployed at the Chennai airport.

Jayalalithaa, three 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 September 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.  AIADMK chief followed by the Apex court directive, the 66-year-old politician urged her party workers to remain calm and not resort to violence. 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.