The political stalemate in Tamil Nadu is likely to end soon as the Supreme Court is all set to deliver its verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala on Tuesday.
A bench of justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy will deliver its verdict at 10.30 am on a bench of petitions, including the one filed by the Karnataka government, challenging the Bangalore High Court order on May 11, 2015 acquitting Sasikala and late former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa.
Jayalalithaa was the main accused in the case. Earlier, a trial court had convicted Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, and her two relatives— V.N. Sudhakaran and Elavarasi—in the case on September 27, 2014.
The trial court had sentenced the late leader to four years in jail and imposed a Rs 100 crore fine in the disproportionate assets case. The trial lasted for 18 years.
The case is pertaining to allegedly amassing disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore during Jayalalithaa's first term as chief minister from 1991 to 1996.
A section of the media reported that the two judges will read out the judgment separately on Tuesday, sparking off speculations that the top court would deliver a split verdict. In that case, the case will again be referred to a larger bench for further hearing.
If the apex court upholds the trial court verdict, it will leave Sasikala in dire straits as she cannot anymore continue her race for the chief minister post. She will have to set aside and pick one of her loyalists to the top post.
However, if the apex court quashes the High Court order, it will be a major shot in the arm for Sasikala politically and morally.
The political turmoil in the state started on Tuesday last when O.Panneerselvam launched an open revolt against Sasikala saying he was forced by the party chief to resign from the chief minister's post. He set off the rebellion after a meeting of AIADMK MLAs elected the party chief as the legislative party leader paving way for her elevation as the chief minister.
