Karnataka HC denies bail to Jayalalithaa after Justice AV Chandrasekhara finds no grounds for granting relief

The Karnataka High Court today denied bail to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa after Justice A V Chandrashekara held that there weren’t sufficient grounds to grant bail in the 18-year old disproportionate assets case. The order came after several hours of arguments and amidst heightened security around the High Court. Last month, Jayalalithaa had been sentenced to four years imprisonment with a fine of 100 crores under the Prevention of Corruption Act by Special Judge, John Michael Cunha..Earlier in the day, Special Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh had told the court that there was no objection to conditional bail being granted to Jayalalithaa. When news of this submission reached the AIADMK supporters gathered outside the High Court, they understood this to mean that the application would definitely be granted. Soon they spread the word that their leader would be released on bail. Wild celebrations ensued, with the police driving the slogan-chanting faithful away from the court premises. However, the joy turned to anger and disbelief once it was confirmed that the bail application had been denied. .Ram Jethmalani, senior counsel for Jayalalithaa argued that his client was entitled to bail during the pendency of appeal against conviction, as per verdicts of the Supreme Court and reference was made to Lalu Prasad Yadav and the fodder scam. He also brought to the Court’s notice the fact that his client was suffering from blood-pressure and heart-related ailments. The Special Public Prosecutor raised the possibility of the influential AIADMK chief escaping from conviction or absconding from the country if bail was granted. The High Court went on to pass interim orders rejecting the pleas for suspension of sentence of Jayalalithaa and her three aides, and refused to release them on bail. He also stated that corruption leads to violation of human rights and causes economic imbalance. Jethmalani later said that he would appeal to the Supreme Court..In related news, Ram Jethmalani drew flak from the Valparai Bar Association (VBA) in Coimbatore district, who passed a resolution on Friday demanding the Karnataka High Court take action against the senior advocate. The VBA’s President, N Shaw Nawaz Khan claimed that,.“Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani criticized the judgment which was given by Judge Cunha. This is condemnable and against the law. We request the Karnataka High Court to take action against Ram Jethmalani for contempt of court,”..The Association also called for the state government to take action against people who criticise or abuse the the judiciary.