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SC asks Karnataka`s response on Jayalalithaa`s security
The disproportionate case against her relates to the alleged accumulation of assets worth over Rs 66 crore by her between 1991 and 1996.
New Delhi: With Jayalalithaa expressing
concern over her safety, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the
Karnataka Government to explain steps taken to protect the
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister scheduled to appear before a trial
court in Bangalore on October 20 in a disproportionate assets
case.
A bench of justices Dalveer Bhandari and Dipak Mishra
asked Karnataka`s standing counsel Anita Shenoy to file an
affidavit personally through the State Chief Secretary or the
Director General of Police by tomorrow 10.30 am, when the
matter would be taken up for further hearing.
The apex court passed the direction after senior counsel
Mukul Rohtagi appearing for Jayalalithaa sought deferment of
the trial to last week of November, on the ground that no
intimation either about the security or the venue of the
hearing has been made to Jayalalithaa who enjoys Z plus
category security and NSG cover.
"What is the state government doing. Speedy trial is very much needed. But security of the person is also equally important. She enjoys Z plus category security and NSG cover.
"We don`t want anything to happen. Security is even more important. We may ask the trial judge to review and then take a decision," the bench told Karnataka`s counsel.
The counsel sought time for seeking necessary information and instructions from the State.
"You cannot have any laxity. The order was passed long back. Why was no adequate security arrangements made? Please take instructions from the Chief Minster or the Director General of Police.
"You file an affidavit. It should be filed personally either by the Chief Secretary or the Director General of Police. We will hear the matter tomorrow at 10.30 a.m," the bench said.
The apex court had on September 12 dismissed Jayalalithaa`s plea for exemption from personal appearance owing to the perceived threat perception.
Jayalalithaa in her fresh application has submitted that even the NSG which is normally given advance notice of the security arrangement made for the protectee has not been given any intimation on either the venue or the measures taken to protect her by the local police.
The Chief Minister further submitted that she was apprehensive of a hostile atmosphere in Bangalore from organisations like the "Al Mun Thameen Force" which had vowed to avenge the killing of its cadre Imam Ali and others in an encounter with the Tamil Nadu police in Bangalore during 2002.
Besides, she said there were a number of other threat perceptions to her.
"Grave prejudice and irreparable loss and hardship would be caused to the applicant if this application is not allowed," the application stated.
The disproportionate case against her relates to the alleged accumulation of assets worth over Rs 66 crore by her between 1991 and 1996.
She has alleged that the cases were foisted against her by the previous DMK government for political reasons. In pursuant to the earlier directions of the apex court,the case had been transferred to Karnataka to ensure a fair and free trial.
PTI
"What is the state government doing. Speedy trial is very much needed. But security of the person is also equally important. She enjoys Z plus category security and NSG cover.
"We don`t want anything to happen. Security is even more important. We may ask the trial judge to review and then take a decision," the bench told Karnataka`s counsel.
The counsel sought time for seeking necessary information and instructions from the State.
"You cannot have any laxity. The order was passed long back. Why was no adequate security arrangements made? Please take instructions from the Chief Minster or the Director General of Police.
"You file an affidavit. It should be filed personally either by the Chief Secretary or the Director General of Police. We will hear the matter tomorrow at 10.30 a.m," the bench said.
The apex court had on September 12 dismissed Jayalalithaa`s plea for exemption from personal appearance owing to the perceived threat perception.
Jayalalithaa in her fresh application has submitted that even the NSG which is normally given advance notice of the security arrangement made for the protectee has not been given any intimation on either the venue or the measures taken to protect her by the local police.
The Chief Minister further submitted that she was apprehensive of a hostile atmosphere in Bangalore from organisations like the "Al Mun Thameen Force" which had vowed to avenge the killing of its cadre Imam Ali and others in an encounter with the Tamil Nadu police in Bangalore during 2002.
Besides, she said there were a number of other threat perceptions to her.
"Grave prejudice and irreparable loss and hardship would be caused to the applicant if this application is not allowed," the application stated.
The disproportionate case against her relates to the alleged accumulation of assets worth over Rs 66 crore by her between 1991 and 1996.
She has alleged that the cases were foisted against her by the previous DMK government for political reasons. In pursuant to the earlier directions of the apex court,the case had been transferred to Karnataka to ensure a fair and free trial.
PTI