Jaya case: Chidambaram backs Acharya's advice on appeal

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today backed Karnataka Special Public Prosecutor B V Acharya's advice to file an appeal against the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.

"I believe that Public Prosecutor Acharya and the Advocate General of Karnataka have given strong written opinions that the judgement deserves to be appealed against. I have great respect for Mr. Acharya. I think he is right," he told PTI.

His comments comes in the wake of Acharya and Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar advising the state government to file an appeal against the acquittal of Jayalalithaa, while the legal cell of ruling Congress in the state advising against filing an appeal.

Asked about his views on the controversy surrounding the judgement acquitting her, Chidambaram, an eminent lawyer himself, refused to comment saying he does not give his opinion on judgements "publicly."

"I do not comment on the judgement publicly. I did not comment when she was convicted, I do not comment when she is acquitted," the senior Supreme Court advocate said.

The Karnataka High Court gave a clean chit to the AIADMK chief and three others, clearing them of "all charges" in the 19-year-old case on May 11, paving the way for return of Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister.