Crucial DA case judgment in Supreme Court on Feb 14
Updated by admin on
Monday, February 13, 2017 11:27 PM IST
New Delhi:
The crucial Disproportionate Assets case judgement will be delivered on Feb 14, 2017, which could have a big impact on the political scenario in Tamil Nadu as V K Sasikala, AIADMK general secretary and CM-elect, is an accused in the case.
While the Karnataka High Court set aside the conviction of former chief minister J jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Ilavarasi and V N Sudhagaran, the Karnataka HC filed an appeal against this order.
The case in the Supreme Court was heard by a two-judge Bench comprising Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Justice Amitava Roy.
Indications are that they are filing separate reports, which could mean there could be a split verdict, and the case would then have to go to a third judge or heard again by the Karnataka HC depending on the verdict. A split verdict would mean relief for Sasikala and her family members, Ilavarasi and Sudhagaran, as the acquittal by the Karnataka HV would prevail for the time being.
Sasikala will hope for an acquittal or at least a split verdict, which could clear the decks for government formation with her as chief minister. It would be very difficult for Acting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to deny her installation as chief minister at the earliest if there is no conviction order from the Supreme Court. This could also mean that her grip on the party, especially its MLAs would get stronger and could halt the momentum of party personnel gravitating towards O Panneerselvam.
On the other hand, if Sasikala is convicted, there would be pressure on her MLAs to elect a new legislature party leader who could keep the party and MLAs intact, and survive a confidence motion in the Assembly. Whichever way it is, Sasikala would have to act swiftly and in a pragmatic manner to keep the flock of her MLAs together.
The OPS camp, on the other hand, will step up pressure on the Governor and the Centre to go in for a simultaneous floor test in the Assembly after freeing the MLAs from the resort where they have been put up by the AIADMK.
