K'taka HC reserves order on Sasikala's petition

The Karnataka high court on Wednesday reserved orders on a plea by Sasikala Natarajan, co-accused in the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, seeking translated versions of questions framed by the court in Tamil.

Justice N Ananda reserved his verdict after conclusion of arguments on both sides. On December 16, Sasikala's counsel had filed the criminal petition seeking Tamil translation of questions framed by the court.

Subsequently on December 19, when the petition came up before the high court, Justice B V Pinto had granted six weeks stay on proceedings against Sasikala, a former close aide of Jayalalithaa, in the special court.

Earlier, Sasikala's counsel Giri V, citing judgements of the apex court and the Calcutta high court, submitted that allowing the plea will be "in advancement of justice, would not subvert justice in any manner" and added that the translated version be kept as a part of the record.

Special Public Prosecutor B V Acharya contended that keeping the translated version was not necessary as the official interpreter could translate the questions during the recording of her (Sasikala) statement under CrPC section 313 (power to examine the accused) and also translate in turn answers furnished by her into English.

The special court had on January 18 adjourned the proceedings against Sasikala to January 30 as the interim stay granted by the HC is in force till then.

The case relates to accumulation of wealth allegedly disproportionate to Jayalalithaa's known sources of income when she was Chief Minister in 1991-96.

Jayalalithaa had expelled Sasikala and 13 others from the All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam on December 19 last year.