The Karnataka Government is reportedly planning to shift jailed former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to a prison in Tamil Nadu. Officials concerned have already discussed the matter with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is said be keen on transferring Amma to a jail in Tamil Nadu. Even though there is no official confirmation on this, it is learnt that the State Government’s legal department has been alerted and consultation with legal experts is on to find out the possibilities to shift the former TN Chief Minister to her State.
A source in the Karnataka Government Secretariat confirmed to The Pioneer that there were deliberations on the issue. He also said the State Government can take a decision to shift her to a jail in Tamil Nadu. A senior Government official said that the AIADMK chief can be shifted to a jail in Tamil Nadu as it has become a law and order issue in the Karnataka capital.
In a landmark verdict in the 18-year old legal battle, Special Judge John Michael D’Cunha had convicted Jayalalithaa, sentencing her to four years in prison, and slapped a fine of Rs100 crore in the Rs66.65 crore corruption case. The case was transferred to Bangalore’s Special Court in 2003 by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by DMK leader K. Anbazhagan, who had expressed doubts over conduct of fair trial in Tamil Nadu as Jayalalithaa ruled the State then.
Jaya and her associates have questioned the verdict of the Special Judge in the Karnataka High Court which will take up on Tuesday. Renowned lawyer Ram Jethmalani is fighting her case.