Colour TV case
Date | 14 May 1998 |
---|---|
Location | Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, T. M. Selvaganapathy |
Charges | Misuse of office, Corruption, Criminal conspiracy |
Verdict |
|
Litigation | 11 years |
The Colour TV case
The Madras High Court acquitted Jayalalithaa and all others who were convicted in the case on 4 December 2001.
Background
On 14 May 1998, a special court framed charges against the eleven accused in the case, namely the following: Jayalalithaa, her aide
Trial
The trial of the case began in a special court on 28 December 1998. Around 80 witnesses from the prosecution side and two from the defence side were examined. The special court convicted seven of the nine accused of criminal conspiracy on 30 May 2000, under section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced them to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 (US$200). The seven convicts were then-Rural Affairs minister Selvaganapathy, the minister, Chief Secretary N Haribaskar, state Rural Development Secretary H M Pandey, former Rural Development Director M Satyamurthy, PA Jarnathanan, the minister's PA, and two contractors, Doraisamy and Muthukumarasamy. The seven sentenced by the court were moved to Vellore Central Prison that same evening. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, and Sasikala's relative Baskaran were acquitted, as the accusations against them were not proven beyond doubt.[6] The judge stated in his verdict that "Ms. Jayalalithaa had no role in the conspiracy; even if it is presumed that there was violation of the financial code, it is not enough to show that she had participated in the conspiracy".[7] Selvaganapathy, who was a member of Parliament at the time of the verdict, was banned from Parliament after the verdict.[8]
The state government appealed against the acquittal of Jayalalithaa from the case. On 5 May 2000, the Supreme Court asked the High Court to give more time to Jayalalithaa to examine the defence witness, based on the Special Leave Petition filed by her in the Supreme Court.[9] The appeal of the state government was quashed by the Madras High Court on 21 August 2009. The court also acquitted the five-year sentence of the seven convicted by the lower court.[10][11]
Political implications
This case was one of the first incidents where an ex-chief minister was arrested and sent to jail. It was also one of the earliest instances of the conviction of a member of Parliament in a corruption case, as Selvaganapathy was an MP in the Lok Sabha at the time of the verdict. While Jayalalithaa was in jail for 30 days, her residence at Poes Gardens in Chennai was raided. Sun TV, a channel run by Karunanidhi's nephew, was allowed to videotape the raid, creating a huge controversy. The channel showed large amounts of jewellery and personal assets of Jayalalithaa, resulting in a wide political debate.[12]
Timeline
- 7 December 1996 – The court rejected anticipatory bail and Jayalalithaa arrested in the case and was sent to judicial custody.
- 14 May 1998 – Chargesheet filed against Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, the then Rural Affairs minister Selvaganapathy, the then Chief Secretary N Haribaskar, the then state Rural Development Secretary H M Pandey, the then former Rural Development Director M Satyamurthy, PA Jarnathanan, the then minister's secretary and contractors, Doraisamy and Muthukumarasamy.[5]
- 28 December 1998 – The trial of the case started in the special court.[13]
- 5 May 2000 – The Supreme Court asked the High Court to give Jayalalithaa more time to examine the defence witness.[9]
- 29 May 2000 – Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were acquitted, and the other seven received five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 (US$200).
- 21 August 2009 – The High Court upheld the order of the lower court acquitting Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and Baskaran, while also acquitting all others.
References
- ^ PTI. "Colour TV scam: High Court upholds acquittal of Jayalalithaa". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ Desk, Internet. "AIADMK power struggle: Movers and shakers". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ Ghosh, p. 321
- ^ Menon, Amarnath K.; G.C., Shekar (31 December 1998). "Booty queen". India Today. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Charges framed against Jaya, 10 others in colour TV scam". Rediff. 14 May 1998. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ "Jayalalitha acquitted in colour TV scam". Press Trust of India. Chennai: The Indian Express. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Jayalalithaa acquitted in colour TV case". The Hindu. Chennai. 30 May 2000. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ T.N., Gopalan (30 May 2000). "Jayalalitha acquitted in TV scam case". Chennai: BBC. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ a b "SC reprieve for Jaya in colour TV scam". Rediff. 5 May 2000. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ^ "Colour TV scam: High Court upholds acquittal of Jayalalithaa". Press Trust of India. Chennai: The Hindu. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Madras HC upholds acquittal of Jayalalitha in TV scam". Zee News. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Jaya regime colour TV scam case: Madras HC acquits all". Asian Tribune. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Jayalalitha acquitted in colour TV scam case". Rediff. 30 May 2000. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
Further reading
- Ghosh, Srikanta (1997). Indian Democracy Derailed Politics and Politicians. APH Publishing. )
- K.C., Brahmachary (2004). Our administration. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788170999164.