A day after the Supreme Court granted bail to convicted AIDMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was released on Saturday afternoon from high security Central prison on the outskirts of Bangalore amid a rousing welcome from her supporters.
Jayalalithaa came out of jail just after special court judge John Michael D’Cunha issued the release order eliciting a celebration by the AIADMK supporters. Jayalalithaa and her aides Shashikala, her estranged foster son Dinakaran and Elavarasi were also released.
The special court issued the release order after Jayalalithaa’s lawyers furnished a bond for Rs 2 crore along with the surety of assets. The two sureties of properties valued at Rs 5 crore and Rs 1 crore were given by J Bharat and Gunajyothi, who are party cadre in Bangalore. The Supreme Court had on Friday granted bail to Jayalalithaa and four of her associates in the 18-year-old disproportionate assets case.
Amma supporters carrying Jayalalithaa’s photos and holding flowers broke into celebrations as her motorcade passed through the heavily guarded route from the prison. Amma boarded a special flight from HAl airport to Chennai. Bangalore police clamped section 144 in and around prison and made heavy security arrangements till her departure.
At 3.19 pm, the convoy came out from the Parappana Agraharam Jail at Bangalore. Smiling and with folded hands, Jayalalithaa left the prison complex, accompanied by Sasikala and Elavarasi.
Jayalalithaa showed the victory sign, which is also the party symbol of AIADMK and waved to the party followers who were shouting slogans welcoming the leader. The 66-year-old leader of Tamil Nadu was lodged in the jail since September 27. She was convicted and sentenced on September 27. The Karnataka High Court had rejected her bail application following which she approached the apex court.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and senior Cabinet members received Jayalalithaa at Bangalore. Panneerselvam, a trusted aide of Jayalalithaa, took oath as the Chief Minister on September 29, after Jayalalithaa was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment by the Bangalore court.
According to DIG (prisons) M Jaisimha, Jayalalithaa was very much composed when he showed her the release order. He said, “She is a very strong lady. She was calm and composed and did not show any excitement when I approached her with the copy of the release order issued by the special court. She was all smiles, though.”
“The only thing, which I heard, was Jayalalithaa shared joy with Sasikala and Elavarasi, who were lodged in the women’s barrack,” he said.
“She had deposited two ear-rings of small size and a watch when she was lodged in the jail on September 17. After signing the surety and bond papers, I returned these belongings to her which she accepted without any complaints,” Jaisimha added.
Jayalalithaa, returned to Chennai for a grand welcome on Saturday evening cheered by thousands of party workers who had thronged the Chennai airport since morning waiting for her arrival.
Despite a heavy downpour, thousands thronged the 15-km route from the airport to her residence at Poes Garden. Hundreds of cars formed the cavalcade accompanying Jayalalithaa’s favourite Toyota Prado from airport to Poes Garden. Many onlookers were seen prostrating in front of her SUV as Jayalalithaa waved at them with her disarming smile.
Jayalalithaa offered prayers at the lord Vigneswara Temple at Kotturpuram on her way to Poes Garden sitting in her car itself. The temple has been cleared of routine visitors to facilitate a clear view of the deity.