The 36th city civil court in Bengaluru has on Monday initiated the final judicial process for the auction of assets belonging to the late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. This move comes nearly a decade after her conviction and sentencing to four years' imprisonment in a corruption case, and more than seven years after her demise. The court plans to auction both movable and immovable assets to mobilize funds and pay the imposed Rs 100 crore fine.
Bengaluru - Auction of 27kg Gold and Diamond Jewellery
In a significant development, the court announced its decision to hand over 27kg of gold and diamond jewellery to the Tamil Nadu state government. This marks the beginning of the auction process, with the first set of auctions scheduled for March 6 and 7, 2023.
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Canfin Homes Ltd Contribution
Canfin Homes Ltd, where Jayalalithaa held an account, has contributed nearly Rs 60 lakh to the special court in Bengaluru.
Bengaluru - Directives from the Special Judge
Special Judge Mohan issued specific directives for the handover process. The responsible officers from the Tamil Nadu government, authorized by a government order on February 16, are directed to receive the gold and diamond jewellery. The officers are instructed to bring along a photographer and videographer, along with six large trunks for securing the jewels. The registrar of the city civil court is tasked with making necessary security arrangements for the handover.
Background of the Case
The legal proceedings date back to September 2014 when Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha convicted Jayalalithaa and others in a corruption case, imposing fines and four years' imprisonment. Despite acquittals in May 2015 by the Karnataka High Court, the Supreme Court restored the order in February 2017. Since Jayalalithaa had passed away by then, the charges against her lapsed. However, the other three individuals had to serve the four-year sentence and pay fines.