Live: Jayalalithaa acquitted in DA case

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/live-jayalalithaa-disproportionate-assets-case-appeal-hearing/article7190579.ece?homepage=true

Three others also acquitted; massive celebrations at party headquarters in Chennai.

In a major victory for AIADMK, a special Bench of the Karnataka High Court set aside the trial court order convicting former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case. Justice C.R Kumaraswamy, who read out the judgment at 11 a.m, said the appeals of all the four accused, including Ms. Jayalalithaa have been allowed and they were being acquitted of all charges.

In September 2014, she was sentenced to four years prison sentence and Rs. 100 crore fine was imposed.

Follow The Hindu's live updates here:

11: 08 am : AIADAMK congratulated in Lok Sabha by MPs after former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa's acquittal by Karnataka HC in disproportionate assets case.

11:00 am: Jayalalithaa and three others acquitted in DA case.

10: 54 am: DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin, former Union Ministers T.R. Baalu, A. Raja at party leader M. Karunanidhi's residence in Gopalapuram, Chennai.

10: 52 am: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is still at his official residence on Greenways Road. He is yet to go to Poes Garden or party headquarters.

10: 50 am: There is a huge media presence inside the Court hall, tense atmosphere prevails, reports Sruthisagar Yamunan

10: 36 am: No AIADMK men in Karnataka Court complex, reports Sruthisagar Yamunan.

10: 34 am: Prosecution and defence lawyers take seats as Karnataka High Court. Proceedings to begin at 11 am.

10: 32 am: A video from Uddhav Naig from the party headquarters where supporters are gathered.

10: 30 am: 'Despite the protracted and tortuous course that the legal process took in this case, justice seems to have been finally done.' - Read The Hindu's Editorial after the judgment was passed in the case.

10: 25 am: A steady increase in number of followers at Poes Garden residence of the party supremo, reports Meera Srinivasan.

10: 23 am: The Disproportionate Assets case has spanned over a solid 18 years with many twists and turns. Here's a look at the timeline of the case

10: 22 am: A look at the political ramifications of the verdict:

» The AIADMK vote bank and Ms Jayalalithaa’s hold over the organisations are unlikely to suffer any immediate setback even if the High Court upholds the conviction.

» Political parties such as the DMDK and the PMK might seek to form new alliances and cash in on a possible mood of gloom in the AIADMK camp. PMK founder S. Ramadoss has been speaking of an alternative front

» DMDK founder Vijayakant, despite moving close to the DMK, will also seek to project himself as a right alternative.

» VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan is talking of cobbling together a front of smaller parties.

» DMK banks on being the most viable alternative to the AIADMK.

10:20 am: AIADMK cadre outside the party office in Chennai. AIADMK are chanting, "Our Amma is South Indian Jhansi Rani. Our Amma is Bharathi's new woman." Photo: Udhav Naig

10:15 am: A look at the TANSI case that put the former Chief Minister in a similar position in 2001.Read here

10: 09 am: Today's verdict will decide the political future for Jayalalithaa and her party. What are the possible outcomes of the verdict? Read here

10:05 am: AIADMK supporters line up in front of the Karnataka HC as a show of support to the party supremo. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

9:55 am: Party cadres seated along pavement at Poes Garden in Chennai. Photo: Meera Srinivasan

9:49 am: Unlike October during the Bail hearing, not many policemen at the Karnataka High Court for the verdict. Her absence being the reason behind the scarce crowd. Photo: Sruthisagar Yamunan

09: 35 a.m: AIADMK cadres have gathered at Sri Sangupani Vinayakar temple, Kancheepuram to offer prayers. Read full report. Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

09: 30 a.m: Anticipating trouble by the presence of AIADMK cadres, the police have issued prohibitory orders in a one kilometre radius around the High Court. About 500 policemen are expected to be on duty to avoid trouble. Read more

From our Legal Correspondent Krishnadas Rajagopal:

When Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy delivers his judgment on the appeals filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and three others against their conviction in a disproportionate assets case on Monday, it is pertinent that the verdict satisfies the high standards of judicial accountability and objectivity set for the judge personally by the Supreme Court. Read more

Ms. Jayalalithaa need not be present in court when the judgment is pronounced. It is only in the trial court that the accused are required to be present at the time of the judgment, as per the Criminal Procedure Code.