“At last justice has been done,” exclaimed B V Acharya, special public prosecutor in the Disproportionate Assets case, involving former Tamil Nadu chief minister late J Jayalalithaa and her aide- AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan.
When his reaction was sought on the Supreme Court upholding the trial court’s verdict by setting aside the Karnataka High Court order, Acharya said, “The judgement of the Supreme Court has sent a clear message to the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats that, however, rich and influential they may be, they cannot escape from the clutches of law if they indulge in corruption (sic).’’
Saying that the Supreme Court verdict has sent a good message to the public, the senior counsel said, “There are many cases where people get an honour of acquittal. But at least in some cases of this nature where very important people are involved, if there is a conviction from the highest court of law, it sends a good message to the public.’’
“There was a setback for the prosecution in the high court. Ultimately justice has been done. I am proud of our judiciary. Though there are some black sheep here and there, ultimately, our judiciary is strong and independent,” he said.
Acharya pointed out that the accused was a very rich and influential person holding high position in public life as that of a chief minister of a state. “For the first time, a chief minister in office was convicted by the court,” he said.
Acharya, who was under pressure from the political class, had to first resign as advocate general of Karnataka to continue as SPP. “Ultimately, I had to resign as SPP too,’’ he said. “It is highly improper thing, what to do (sic)?’’ he said when asked to comment on the armtwisting tactics of the political class when he was the SPP.
“The state once again called me to conduct the case before the Supreme Court. I am glad that I successfully conducted the case,’’ he said.
Saying that the judgement has given him satisfaction, Acharya said that he “would not call it a victory. Nor do I say I am very happy about it. All that I say is that it has given me full satisfaction for all the efforts that I have put in. Justice has been done.’’
Acharya appreciated the then District and Sessions Court judge Michael Cunha and Tamil Nadu police investigating officer Nallamma Naidu. “As a district and sessions judge, you must have courage to convict a chief minister in office by withstanding all troubles. Naidu did a wonderful job of investigation and collected all evidences,’’ he said.
G Bhavani Singh, who replaced Acharya as SPP and ensured that Jayalalithaa and others were convicted in the lower court said that the Supreme Court has upheld the order and given the same quantum of punishment as was pleaded by him in the lower court.
DH News Service
Advocates congratulate Justice Cunha
A host of advocates on Tuesday congratulated Karnataka High Court judge, Justice Johan Michael Cunha, the man who had sent former Tamil Nadu chief minister late J Jayalalithaa to jail in September 2014, reports DHNS from Bengaluru.
Senior counsel B V Acharya, the prosecutor in the case, too, visited Justice Cunha. Justice Cunha headed the special bench which tried Jayalalitha, Sasikala and their aides in the disproportionate of assets case. In his verdict, he had sentenced Jayalalithaa and her aides to four years of prison and also imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore. However, the special bench of Justice C R Kumaraswamy, now retired, had acquitted Jayalalithaa and others later.
Justice Cunha later on become the registrar vigilance and registrar general of the Karnataka High Court and in November 14, 2016, he was elevated as the high court judge.
