Jayalalithaa's conviction not final verdict, has option to appeal: BJP

BJP today reacted cautiously on the conviction and four-year sentence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case saying it is part of a judicial process and she has options available to move a higher court, this being not the final verdict.

Terming the issue as "sensitive", the BJP also termed as "unfortunate" any attempts by her political opponents to score points by using this opportunity and play politics over it. "It is a part of the judicial process. This is not the final verdict. There are options available before her to appeal in a higher court," BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

He added that this was a sensitive issue and it was not proper to play politics on it. "It is unfortunate if any of her political opponents are using this opportunity to score points and play politics on it." 

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, however, refused to comment on her conviction by a Bangalore court in an 18-year old disproportionate asset case. "I will not comment on it as I have not seen the judgement," he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was today convicted and sentenced to four years jail in an 18-year-old corruption case in a judgement.

The 66-year-old AIADMK supremo has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 100 crore, highest imposed on any politician, by a special judge John Michael D'Cunha who heard the case of Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets acquired during her first term as Chief Minister between 1991 and 1996.

The verdict unseated her from the post, disqualified her immediately as an MLA and can impact the Assembly elections due in 18 months.