It was shocking to read about a possible and “glaring arithmetical error” in the high-profile Jayalalithaa case (“‘Error’ led to acquittal of Jayalalithaa, says Acharya”, May 13). It only shows that the time has come to carry out a comprehensive revamp of our judicial system in order to make it more responsive, vibrant and effective. But when our law makers appear to be more interested in economic reforms under the guise of growth and development, our hoping that they will usher in comprehensive reforms in key areas such as the judiciary, the police and the electoral arena may continue to remain a dream.
Ettirankandath Krishnadas,Palakkad
It is incredible that a responsible judge handling the case of a person no less than the leader of a State is said to have gone wrong in a mathematical calculation, much like a schoolboy, and has then pronounced a verdict based on this error. It cannot be taken to be a comedy of errors as the future of a former Chief Minister depends on it. Judges are there to punish wrongdoers and must need to be above all suspicion.
Meenakshi Pattabiraman,Madurai
When a responsible person like the Special Public Prosecutor levels a charge like this, the common man is compelled to think the worst. Was it done deliberately to help and acquit the high-profile leader and her associates? He is already on record as saying that proceedings before Karnataka High Court were one-sided. Now, after this charge, it appears that the acquittal was not fair and undeserved.
Sukumar Talpady,Mangaluru
The charge of an “arithmetical error” is grave. Further, the fact that the SPP has gone public lamenting the denial of an opportunity to argue his case and even forgetting principles of natural justice by the Court is very disturbing.
Viewed against such a backdrop, the public may be compelled to read between the lines. People regard the judiciary as the last repository of truth and fair play especially when the political system is shown to foster corruption, opportunism and inefficiency.
T.J. Michael,Kochi
A lay person would tend to concur with the considered comments of the SPP that the case was “a one-sided affair. He would also be at sea as to how the quantum of “disproportionate assets” was dramatically reduced. In the mean time, one hopes that Ms. Jayalalithaa is able to get back into the saddle in Tamil Nadu and restart the process of much-needed governance.
Mani Nataraajan,Chennai
