Jaya case: HC allows Singh to continue as SPP

The High Court on Wednesday allowed Bhavani Singh to continue as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the appeals filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha and her aides, challenging their conviction in the case of disproportionate assets. The appeal is being heard by a special bench of the High Court. 

While dismissing the appeal filed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam secretary K Anbazhagan, challenging Singh’s appointment as the SPP, a division bench comprising Justice N Kumar and Justice B Veerappa observed that at this stage, the bench did not want to upset the three-month deadline set by the Supreme Court to hear the criminal appeals by the special bench.

‘Approach SC’

The bench, in its order, said that the appellants can approach the Supreme Court regarding the appointment of the Special Public Prosecutor. Since Singh was appointed by the Karnataka government in 2013 as the Special Public Prosecutor in the disproportionate assets case, his role entitles him to file appeals, inquire, investigate, attend trial and represent in the matter in the High Court and Supreme Court, the bench observed.

However, Singh cannot be the counsel for the prosecution in terms of authorisation given to him by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu government has no jurisdiction to appoint the prosecutor to appear on behalf of the prosecution in the appeal filed by Jayalalitha, the bench said.
DH News Service