Special prayers were held in Coimbatore on Monday ahead of pronouncement of Karnataka High Court's verdict on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's appeal against her conviction in the disproportionate assets (DA) case that will have a bearing on her political future.
Supporters also gathered outside the former chief minister's residence, raising slogans that read 'long live Amma.'
It will be a high-stake test as the judicial outcome could swing the political fortunes either way for the ruling AIADMK supremo and alter the political course in Tamil Nadu which will go to assembly polls in about a year.
The imposition of Section 144 will prohibit any gathering in a radius of one kilometre around the High Court.
Additional Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar said that the orders will be effective from 6 am to 6 pm and only lawyers would be permitted inside the premises of the High Court.
Jayalalitha was last year sentenced to four years in jail in connection with the Rs. 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case. The court had also imposed a hefty fine of Rs. 100 crores on her.