The AIADMK general secretary, Jayalalithaa, on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking to set aside the Karnataka High Court's order declining to quash the proceedings in the disproportionate assets case.
She assailed the March 10 order rejecting her plea for quashing the trial even as the trial court had issued directions for recall and examination of 42 witnesses by the prosecution between March 18 and 27.
She said she was innocent and had not committed the offences alleged against her and the charge sheet did not make out any case. The special judge, Chennai, had mechanically taken cognisance of the charge sheet on June 5, 1997, without application of mind.
Ms. Jayalalithaa pointed out that the case had been transferred at the instance of her political opponent (DMK Minister K. Anbazhagan) from Tamil Nadu.
The illegality of the order passed by the special judge in June 1997 was an inherent defect which could be raised at any time.
She pointed out that the conclusions of the High Court were unsustainable as it had not squarely addressed the specific issue raised by her, viz while charge sheet mentioned three distinct offences, the special judge's order taking cognisance only the charges in respect of conspiracy and abetment.
It was thus patent and obvious that the charge in respect of alleged possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income under the Prevention of Corruption Act was not taken cognisance.
She alleged that the entire proceeding was a tool of harassment against her and the High Court had erred in failing to consider this aspect.
