Jayalalitha discharged from London Hotel acquisition case

Allowing the criminal revision petition filed by B V Acharya, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) of Tamil Nadu Government, Justice Jawad Rahim set aside the September 10 order of Special Court rejecting the plea to withdraw the case.

“Due to paucity of evidence against Jayalalitha in the London Hotel case, the prosecution wanted to withdraw the case against her in the interest of public and to save the precious time of the court and public money. The special court had not examined these aspects,” the High Court observed. 

“Since the accused had filed an application before the Special Court seeking to discharge the case against her, the withdrawal of case would not harm the interest of the accused. But the Special Court has failed to examine the power of Special Public Prosecutor under Section 321 of Criminal Procedure Code,” the High Court observed.

In his argument, SPP Acharya said: “There is paucity of evidence in the London Hotel acquisition case against Jayalalitha. Nine witnesses in that case have to come from abroad to depose in favor of prosecution. It would not be possible to secure all witnesses settled in foreign countries.” Acharaya argued.

Other accused discharged from the case are Sasikala Natarajan, V N Sudhakaran, J Elavarasi and T T V Dinakaran, member, Rajya Sabha.

The Rs 66-crore disproportionate assets case will now be heard by the Special Court which has already examined 259 witnesses.