The much-awaited verdict is out and J Jayalalithaa, the unseated chief minister of Tamil Nadu following her conviction in a disproportionate assets case, has been acquitted of all the charges laid against her by the Kartnataka High court. Jayalalithaa - along with her supporters - has all the reasons to celebrate a crucial legal victory, paving the way for her return to power.
However, the case raises certain significant questions about whether the principles of natural justice were denied to the prosecution by the Supreme Court's direction to submit only a brief written argument within two to three days of the apex court holding the appointment of an earlier prosecutor as illegal. The apex court probably, in its anxiety to ensure the speedy disposal of her appeal, gave such a direction setting a precedence whose legality will continue to be debated among jurists. For more than one reason, a final verdict on her acquittal by the Supreme Court is called for. The onus now lies on the state of Karnataka to seek justice from the apex court.
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However, the case raises certain significant questions about whether the principles of natural justice were denied to the prosecution by the Supreme Court's direction to submit only a brief written argument within two to three days of the apex court holding the appointment of an earlier prosecutor as illegal. The apex court probably, in its anxiety to ensure the speedy disposal of her appeal, gave such a direction setting a precedence whose legality will continue to be debated among jurists. For more than one reason, a final verdict on her acquittal by the Supreme Court is called for. The onus now lies on the state of Karnataka to seek justice from the apex court.
S K Choudhury Bengaluru
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number