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Karunanidhi opens up on Jayalalithaa conviction

DMK chief neither rejoiced over verdict nor regretted over securing bail
Chennai: Commenting for the first time on former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s conviction in the disproportionate assets case and her subsequent release, DMK chief Karunanidhi said he neither rejoiced over the announcement of the verdict nor regretted her securing bail, a release said.Explaining his long silence over the issue, Mr Karunanidhi said he refrained from commenting on the case and the verdict as it was an important case and he wanted to go through the judgment patiently before making any assessment.
“Besides, AIADMK party cardres have been running a campaign claiming that I had framed a false case against Jayalalithaa and have caused her conviction. However, I neither rejoiced over the AIADMK leader being punished nor am I regretting that she has been granted bail by SC,” Mr Karunanidhi said in the first of a series of letters to party cadres.
Highlighting the AIADMK chief’s career as a movie star, the assets she owned then and her entry into politics to the present situation, Mr Karunanidhi clarified that the case was the result of a petition filed by Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy with the principal sessions court and the Governor, claiming that Ms Jayalalithaa had amassed wealth disproportionate to known sources of income.
“The court took cognisance of the complaint and directed senior IPS officer Letika Saran to probe the matter,” Mr Karunanidhi said. “Subsequently, an FIR was filed in September 1996 and the trial took several years.”The next part of the series is expected to arrive over the coming days.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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