SC judge withdraws from hearing Sasikala's review petition

A Supreme Court judge has recused from taking up a review petition filed by AIADMK leader V K Sasikala against her conviction and four-year jail term in the case relating to possession of disproportionate assets by former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa.

The review petition which was listed for consideration in chamber before Justices R F Nariman and Amitava Roy has now been dropped.

It is learnt that Justice Nariman has recused from the case. He had earlier represented Jayalalithaa in the matter.

Sasikala, along with two of her relatives V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, co- convicts in the case, had filed the review petition against the February 14 judgement.

The proceedings against the main accused Jayalalithaa was abated due to her demise in December last.

Notably, Justice P C Ghose, who authored the judgement, has since retired. Justice Ghose had presided over the bench that also comprised Justice Roy.

According to SC Rules, review petition is considered by the same bench inside the chamber through circulation.

Due to retirement of Justice Ghosh, the matter relating to review petition was assigned to a bench of Justices Nariman and Roy. The case is now expected to be listed before a different combination of bench but with Justice Roy as an essential part of it.

Sasikala is serving remainder of the four years jail term awarded by the court. She is lodged at Parapanna Agrahara prison in Bengaluru.

Karnataka government had also filed review petition in the matter to recover RS 100 crore fine imposed on Jayalalithaa but it was dismissed by the apex court.