A brief report on Jailalita : One of Indias most colourful and controversial politicians, Jayaram Jayalalitha, has been sentenced to jail for four years on corruption charges in a case that has lasted for 18 years. The chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu was found guilty of amassing wealth of more than 10 million dollars which was unaccounted for. She has to pay a 1 billion rupees fine and resign as chief minister. The verdict was delivered by a special court in Bangalore amid tight security. Along with three others, Jayalalitha was sentenced to an immediate jail term, and was due to be sent to Parappana Agrahara prison in Bangalore. But she complained on chest pains and giddiness after the verdict was delivered, and was sent to the prison hospital for assessment. Many Indians will applaud the conviction of Tamil Nadus chief minister - after years of evading justice - in the hope it is another move towards cleaning up the countrys notoriously criminalised political system. Indias Supreme Court has tightened the noose, disqualifying from office any MP convicted of a serious crime and ordering fast-track trials to prevent them using their influence to string things out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a cleaner government, yet just under one-third of the ministers he appointed face criminal charges, with one even accused of attempted murder. Indias Supreme Court recently ruled that while the constitution allows Mr Modi to do this, he should set a better example on who he appoints. AIADMK party workers cry after a verdict was handed down to Jayaram Jayalalitha. But her critics see her as a deeply corrupt figure who has manipulated the system The prosecution argued that Jayalalitha and three others committed an offence against society. Jayalalitha: Mercurial personality. *Supporters of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) hold portraits of party leader J. Jayalalithaa in Chennai on 13 May 2011 A former actress, she appeared in more than 100 films. *Chief minister of Tamil Nadu on four occasions - from 1991-96, briefly in 2011, 2002-06 and 2011 to 2014 has alternated in power with her great rival, 90-year-old DMK leader M Karunanidhi Feted by various India prime ministers over the last 20 years trying to win her support. *Critics accuse her of establishing a personality cult, but supporters praise her poverty relief efforts. *Known for her extravagant lifestyle, police once discovered more than 10,000 saris and 750 pairs of shoes in a raid on her premises. *The corruption case focused on her personal wealth and was brought by a rival political party, Jayalalitha has always argued that it was politically motivated. Known by her followers as Amma or Mother, she inspires intense loyalty, even adoration, but she has been associated with a lavish lifestyle. Her foster sons wedding almost 20 years ago broke world records for its sheer scale - including 150,000 guests.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 01:36:00 +0000
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