Jayalalithaa DA case: Karnataka High Court poses searching queries to SPP on trial court verdict

BENGALURU: Posing searching questions, Karnataka High Court today sought answers from Special Public Prosecutor Bhavani Singh on how the trial court had concluded that Jayalalithaa had amassed Rs 66.65 crore of wealth disproportionate to known sources of income during her first stint as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996.

"I want to know how did the trial court come to a conclusion of A-1 (Jayalalithaa) amassing Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate to known sources of income during the check period," Justice C R Kumaraswamy posed when Singh was making submissions during the hearing of Jayalalithaa's appeal against her conviction by a special court here.

The judge asked whether the trial court arrived at this conclusion taking into account legal evidence or by mere inferences.

Singh said, "I have been submitting the contents of the DVAC report before this court and the trial court."

"I want to know from you (Singh) whether the trial court has come to a conclusion about A-1's guilt, based on legal evidence or mere inference," Justice Kumaraswamy asked.

The court also asked Singh to answer whether there was any evidence to prove the transaction of money between Jayalalithaa and three other accused in the case.

Justice Kumaraswamy told Singh to furnish details of the income and assets held by Jayalalithaa, before and after the check period, in order to exactly know the percentage of disproportionate assets.

"I want you (Singh) to furnish details of the income and assets held by A-1, before and after the check period, so as to know the perecentage of disproportionate assets," he said.