While allowing applications filed by counsels for the accused, seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day, Special court judge Somaraju posted the case to Sept 29 for further recording of her statement under Section 313 CrPC, rejecting their pleas seeking adjournment on the grounds that the case is pending before the High Court.
The court observed that since there was no stay, the proceedings would go on and it could not interfere.
Assistant Special Public Prosecutor Sandesh Chouta objected to pleas for adjournment, submitting it was not permissible as it would virtually violate the High Court and Supreme Court's orders, which stated that the case has to go on on a day to day basis and that the matter should be expedited.
Chouta also pointed out that since 2004, "only 22 days of effective trial had taken place, including seven days where 24 witnesses were recalled and examined by the prosecution".
While Jayalalithaa's statement was recorded for four days, Sasikala's statement was recorded for about 11 days, where she answered around 632 questions.
"They (accused) have filed 800 applications so far out of which 120 have been to protract the proceedings",he submitted.
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The Karnataka High Court had on Aug 28 adjourned by two weeks petitions filed by Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, her foster son V Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi after Advocate General S Vijay Shankar sought time to file objections.
On Aug 16,the court had requested former Advocate General B V Acharya who resigned from the post of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the case, to assist the court till an alternative is found, to which he agreed.
Petitions filed by Jayalalithaa, her close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her estranged foster son V Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi sought a quo warranto against Special Judge B M Mallikarjunaiah trying the case and a writ of declaration declaring his appointment as Special Judge as "null and void".