Jayalalithaa DA case: SC bench divided on continuance of special public prosecutor

NEW DELHI: A two judge bench of Supreme Court differed in their opinion on continuance of Bhawani Singh as the special public prosecutor in J Jayalalithaa DA case pending in Karnataka high court.
Justice Madan B Lokur held that Singh had no authority to appear before the HC as special public prosecutor. He said that hearing of Jayalalaithaa's appeal stood vitiated and the case should be reheard by the HC.He also said that this is the classic case to show how judicial process is being influenced by powerful people.
Justice R Bhanumati, however, differed and said that there was nothing wrong in Singh continued as SPP in the case. She held that Singh was entitled to appear in the case till his service was revoked by Karnataka government.
In view of split verdict, the case has been referred to a larger bench. The order of the SC restraining HC to pronounce will continue.
The HC had already reserved its verdict on Jayalalithaa's appeal challenging her conviction and four year jail term in the DA case.