The Supreme Court today refused to grant more time to AIADMK supremo VK Sasikala who was convicted in a case of disproportionate assets to surrender before a Bengaluru special court.
Sasikala’s counsel KTS Tulsi urged the apex court to grant more time to her client as she wanted to settle down the rift that has derailed the Tamil Nadu’s ruling party.
Sasikala wanted some time to surrender to manage her affairs before going to jail, he told the court.
“We do not intend to pass any order on this. We are not going to change anything in the judgement. Hope you understand the meaning of immediately Mr Tulsi?" Justice Ghose asked Sasikala's advocate today.
"Sorry. We have already written everything in the fatty judgement and it says forthwith. I am not going to change even a word," the bench added.
It also ordered her to surrender immediately to serve four years in jail. The two others, whose conviction was upheld in the disproportionate assets case, also moved the Supreme Court with the same plea as Sasikala's.
Earlier this morning, Sasikala reinducted her relatives TTV Dinakaran and Venkatesh in the party, years after they were expelled by late AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. Dinakaran, a former Rajay Sabha member, has also been appointed as the deputy General Secretary of the AIADMK, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, reports are doing the rounds that Sasikala will arrive at the Bengaluru border later today from where she will be taken into Karnataka Police custody.
In light of the developments, security has been tightened along the border areas of the two states, especially in sensitive areas.
Police have deployed a platoon of Karnataka State Reserve Police near Parappana Agrahara jail, and security has been beefed up along Hosur Road between the jail and Attibele toll gate.
Reports suggest that if Sasikala and two others convicted in the case don't turn up today, the special judge, after receiving the top court’s order copy, can issue arrest warrants against them.
Sasikala reached the Poes Garden residence late last night where she said the present case was filed by the DMK and asked the partymen to strongly resist it.
She said that her thoughts will continue to remain with the party even from inside the jail.
"Only I can be jailed, not the care or concern I have for this party. Wherever I will be, my thoughts will be here," said an emotional Sasikala.
The leader also said that she will be thinking about the party round the clock.
Sasikala said that she was happy in a way that Jayalalithaa was not alive to ‘face difficulties’.
"For me, to form government, to set up Amma's memorial, you should remain united," she had told party MLAs in her address at a private resort near here.
The 62-year-old Sasikala said that upon her return from the prison, the AIADMK government will be formed and that the party workers should strive in this regard. She urged them not to lose their composure and stay united in the interests of the party.
The apex court had upheld the four-year jail term handed down by a lower court in Bengaluru and thus banned her from contesting election for 10 years.
Sasikala reinducts her relatives into AIADMK
On the other hand, Sasikala has reinducted her relatives TTV Dinakaran and Venkatesh in the party, years after they were expelled by late AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. Dinakaran, a former Rajay Sabha member, has also been appointed as the deputy General Secretary of the AIADMK, PTI reported.
Sasikala reached the Poes Garden residence late last night where she said the present case was filed by the DMK and asked the partymen to strongly resist it.
She said that her thoughts will continue to remain with the party even from inside the jail.
"Only I can be jailed, not the care or concern I have for this party. Wherever I will be, my thoughts will be here," said an emotional Sasikala.
The leader also said that she will be thinking about the party round the clock.
Sasikala said that she was happy in a way that Jayalalithaa was not alive to ‘face difficulties’.
"For me, to form government, to set up Amma's memorial, you should remain united," she had told party MLAs in her address at a private resort near here.
The 62-year-old Sasikala said that upon her return from the prison, the AIADMK government will be formed and that the party workers should strive in this regard. She urged them not to lose their composure and stay united in the interests of the party.
The apex court had upheld the four-year jail term handed down by a lower court in Bengaluru and thus banned her from contesting election for 10 years.
