Special bench to hear Jaya bail plea today

The Karnataka High Court (HC) on Tuesday constituted a special bench to hear the criminal appeal by former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha.

The appeal seeking bail and suspension of the sentence awarded by the special court will now come up for hearing on Wednesday. The HC registry constituted a special vacation bench headed by Justice Rathnakala to hear the matter.

Earlier in the day, when the matter came up for hearing, Jayalalitha’s counsel Ram Jethmalani sought bail and said the appeal must be treated as urgent matter.

When a question was raised whether this court can hear the matter, Hashmath Pasha, counsel for Ilavarasi, one of the convicts, submitted that the matter can be heard by the Karnataka High Court.

G Bhavani Singh, the special public prosecutor (SPP) in the disproportionate assets case, submitted that he has not received any communication on his appointment as SPP in the fresh matter.

Singh said since he has not received any copy of appeal from the appellants, he cannot file his objections. Justice Rathnakala then adjourned the matter to October 6 so that the regular bench can hear the matter. But counsels for Jayalalitha approached the HC registry seeking an urgent hearing.

The same was communicated to Chief Justice D H Waghela and after getting necessary directions, the registry constituted a special vacation bench to hear the matter on Wednesday. Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption of the Tamil Nadu government issued a notification continuing the appointment of Singh as SPP.