Court Rejects Jaya Plea

The Madras High Court yesterday rejected former chief minister J Jayalalithas plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in the court.

She is scheduled to appear before three special judges today in connection with the corruption cases against her. Justice R Jayashima Babu observed that leaders should set an example by appearing before the courts and turned down the plea of Jayalalithas counsel to exempt her from appearing. The counsel made the representation after the judge admitted her writ petition, challening the appointment of three special judges to try corruption cases against her., members of the former AIADMK regime and bureaucrats.

The judge referred the petition to a division bench to be heard along with similar petitions already filed by other former ministers.

In her petition Jayalalitha had sought the quashing of the state government orders of April 30 last appointing three judges and apportioning 47 cases among them.