‘Malignant Materialism’ & Jayalalithaa’s Guilt: SC’s DA Judgement

The SC’s 570-page judgement in the disproportionate assets case firmly states Jayalalithaa’s guilt.

The Supreme Court has convicted Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case, where she faces a prison sentence of three and a half years. Additionally, she can only contest elections six years after she completes her sentence.

The SC verdict also proclaims J Jayalalithaa’s guilt in the disproportionate asset case. Justices Pinaki Chandra Bose and Amitava Roy acknowledge that after Jayalalithaa’s death, the case against her has abated. However, if Jayalalithaa was alive today, based on the court’s order, she too would have been convicted.

Here are the major takeaways from the 570-page Supreme Court verdict.

1. Sasikala Held Assets for Jayalalithaa

J Jayalalithaa was the prime accused in the case (referred to A1 as the judgement), with Sasikala, her nephew and Jayalalithaa’s foster son Sudhakaran, and Sasikala’s sister-in-law Ilavarasi as co-accused in the case. (referred to A1, A2, A3 and A4 in the judgement respectively.)

Here is the corresponding excerpt from the SC judgement:

2. Firms Were Operating From Poe’s Garden

Establishing the conspiracy between J Jayalalithaa and co-accused in the case, the judgement states that the 10 firms were constituted on a single day, with J Jayalalithaa’s knowledge.

Here is the corresponding excerpt from the judgement:

3. Sasikala Was in Poe’s Garden Pursuant to ‘Criminal Conspiracy’

Here is the corresponding excerpt from the judgement:

4. High Court’s Calculation of Assets Made ‘Lump Sum Additions’

Here is the corresponding extract from the judgement:

5. 8.12% Is a Figure Based on ‘Wrong Reading of Evidence’

Setting aside Karnataka High Court’s calculation of disproportionate assets, the Supreme Court called the HC order ‘untenable.’

Here is the corresponding excerpt from the judgement:

6. Appeals Against Jayalalithaa Have Abated, But Trial Judge’s Verdict Stands

J Jayalalithaa was the prime accused in the case, but she died on 5 December 2016. On that matter, the judgement states that appeals against her have abated, however it doesn’t exempt other co-accused from the sentencing.

Here is the corresponding excerpt from the judgement:

7. Of ‘Malignant Materialism’ of Corruption

Justice Amitava Roy also commented on the ills of corruption in society, which he stated demonstrated in this particular case.

Here is an excerpt from the judgement: