In a new twist to AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa’s Disproportionate Assets case verdict, Special Public Prosecutor, BV Acharya, on Tuesday said there was a mathematical error in asset calculation, while adding that it could be an excellent point to challenge the verdict in Supreme Court.
On the day after the AIADMK supremo was acquitted by the special court judge CR Kumaraswamy, Acharya told the media in Bengaluru that all options are open for the State Government to challenge the verdict.
He said he is considering all options that are available. “If Karnataka Government) decides to file an appeal in the Supreme Court, this will be an excellent point on which we can challanged the verdict.”
“In terms of percentage and total income, there is an arithmetical blunder. This glaring mistake has come to our notice just now,” he added.
The SPP said Jayalalithaa’s total disproportionate assets is `16.34 crore not `2.82 crore as High Court Judge CR Kumaraswamy mentioned. Acharya said `16.34 crore DA amounts to around 76 per cent and not merely 8.12 per cent as calculated by the judge.
Acharya pointed out that the judge said Jayalalithaa had received loans worth `24 crore but the actual figures come up to only `10 crore. “So there is a huge mistake of about `14 crore.”
He said he would submit a report to the Karnataka Government on the issue. Reacting to the verdict, Acharya had said on Monday the prosecution case had been “seriously prejudiced” as the State of Karnataka and SPP appointed by it were denied an opportunity to convince High Court through oral arguments.
Meanwhile, a source in the State Government told The Pioneer that they would take decision on challanging the verdict in a day or two. He also indicated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held discussions with law department and SPP regarding this.
A close aide of the Chief Minister said he is already in touch with the party high command to take a decision looking at the political viabilities. If the Karnataka Government appeals, the legal battle will shift to Supreme Court and Amma will have to face the political repercussions ahead of the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu.