Jaya case: SC refuses to stay pronouncement of verdict by High Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to allow a plea by DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan for stay on pronouncement of verdict by the Karnataka High Court in the appeals filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha and others accused in the Rs 66.65-crore disproportionate assets case.

A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and R Banumathi held a day-long hearing of the petition, challenging continuance of special public prosecutor G Bhavani Singh in the appeals before the HC.

Anbazhagan’s counsel urged the court to restrain the HC from pronouncing its judgment, but the court did not grant the plea. The HC had, on March 11, reserved the order after wrapping up hearing of arguments.

The court, however, expressed surprise over the failure of the Karnataka government to take a stand on the appointment of Singh as prosecutor in the case.

Senior advocate T R Andhyarujina, appearing for Anbazhagan, alleged that the prosecutor was “hand-in-glove” with the accused and his continuance would cause “perversion of justice”. He pointed out during the hearing of the appeal by Jayalalitha, the prosecutor facilitated the accused and did not oppose her plea for suspension of sentence and bail.

Senior advocate F S Nariman, representing Jayalalitha, defended the appointment of the prosecutor, pointing to a previous Supreme Court verdict, quashing his removal from the case. The arguments in the case remained inconclusive and would resume on April 1. The Karnataka High Court had, on February 11, rejected Anbazhagan’s contention against Singh.