Jayalalithaa to face trial for not filing IT return: SC

In a setback to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the Supreme Court Thursday said she will face trial for not filing Income Tax return for three years in her capacity as a partner of Shashi Enterprises which she jointly owned with her aide Sasikala.

The apex court bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan directed the trial court to complete the trial within a period of four months.

Jayalalithaa along with Sasikala had set up Sashi Enterprises wherein neither the enterprise nor its both partners filed their Income Tax return for year 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Jayalalithaa had contended that since there was no income from the enterprise, therefore there was no tax evasion and not filing the Income Tax return was not an offence. 

However, economic offences court in Chennai rejected their contention, holding that non-filing of ITR was an offence and they will face trial.

On appeal, the high court accepted the findings of the economic offences court and both Jayalalithaa and Sasikala will face trial.

Supreme Court Thursday declined to interfere with the High Court order.