Bangalore/New Delhi: Jayalalithaa has been ordered to appear in a Bangalore court tomorrow in connection with a corruption case. The Supreme Court today rejected the Chief Minister's latest attempt to skip that appearance. The court rejected her concerns about inadequate security.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had been told last month by the Supreme Court to attend a hearing at a special court inside the Central Prison tomorrow. Her lawyers have been asking for an exemption for security reasons. The Supreme Court first refused that request a few weeks ago, stating it was a "tactic by the accused to delay proceedings." The court then asked the Karnataka government to ensure that special protection was organized for Ms Jayalalithaa's hearing.
Ms Jayalalithaa, however, petitioned the Supreme Court again. In addition to challenging the security plans drawn up for her visit to Bangalore, her lawyer said that the venue for tomorrow's hearing, located 65 kms from the airport, is too far. Unimpressed, the judges replied, "You are a public figure. How can you remain away from the public?" The bench also turned down Ms Jayalalithaa's plea to at least shift the venue of her trial closer to the airport.
The court accepted the Karnataka government's undertaking that it has made huge arrangements to ensure a safe visit for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. "As far as law and order is concerned, we are very serious. From our side we are fully prepared to give security," Sadananda Gowda, the Chief Minister of Karnataka said. The central government has also said that National Security Guard commandos will escort Ms Jayalalithaa for her hearing.
Senior police officials in Bangalore say that though the city's metro will be inaugurated tomorrow in a high-profile ceremony, they will have enough personnel to ensure Ms Jayalalithaa's security.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has been accused of accumulating wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income when she was the Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996. The case was moved out of Tamil Nadu to Karnataka to ensure a fair trial.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had been told last month by the Supreme Court to attend a hearing at a special court inside the Central Prison tomorrow. Her lawyers have been asking for an exemption for security reasons. The Supreme Court first refused that request a few weeks ago, stating it was a "tactic by the accused to delay proceedings." The court then asked the Karnataka government to ensure that special protection was organized for Ms Jayalalithaa's hearing.
Ms Jayalalithaa, however, petitioned the Supreme Court again. In addition to challenging the security plans drawn up for her visit to Bangalore, her lawyer said that the venue for tomorrow's hearing, located 65 kms from the airport, is too far. Unimpressed, the judges replied, "You are a public figure. How can you remain away from the public?" The bench also turned down Ms Jayalalithaa's plea to at least shift the venue of her trial closer to the airport.
The court accepted the Karnataka government's undertaking that it has made huge arrangements to ensure a safe visit for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. "As far as law and order is concerned, we are very serious. From our side we are fully prepared to give security," Sadananda Gowda, the Chief Minister of Karnataka said. The central government has also said that National Security Guard commandos will escort Ms Jayalalithaa for her hearing.
Senior police officials in Bangalore say that though the city's metro will be inaugurated tomorrow in a high-profile ceremony, they will have enough personnel to ensure Ms Jayalalithaa's security.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has been accused of accumulating wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income when she was the Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996. The case was moved out of Tamil Nadu to Karnataka to ensure a fair trial.
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