The former Minister, Azhagu Thirunavukkarasu, has filed a petition in the court of the Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, Chennai, seeking discharge from the ‘gifts case’ against the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa.
The case, investigated by CBI, related to alleged receipt of gifts by Ms. Jayalalithaa on her birthday in 1992. The prosecution case against Mr. Thirunavukkarasu was that he provided money to the tune of Rs. 25.50 lakh for purchase of demand drafts in favour of the former Chief Minister.
Mr. Thirunavukkarasu said there was no material to show that he handed over the drafts to Ms. Jayalalithaa or deposited them in her account. There was no material to prove that he had given the said drafts in connection with any proceeding or business transacted or any connection with official function. Hence, there was no material to frame charge against him for an offence under section 12 of Prevention of Corruption Act.