Supreme Court likely to hear PIL against Sasikala swearing-in today

Photo: AFP/File

New Delhi: Amid the escalating political tension in Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Monday is likely to hear the plea seeking a stay on the swearing-in ceremony of AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala Natarajan. This comes after the top court last week refused to grant an urgent hearing on a PIL that sought to put on hold Sasikala’s swearing-in as Tamil Nadu chief minister till it passed judgment in the disproportionate assets case against her. A bench of Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, Justice NV Ramana and Justice DY Chandrachud said “sorry declined” as the petitioner urged the bench to hear the plea. The PIL was filed by Chennai resident Senthil Kumar, General Secretary of NGO Satta Panchayat Iyakkam. Kumar has contended that if Sasikala is convicted and is forced to resign, there is a possibility of riots erupting all over Tamil Nadu. ALSO READ: Journalists attacked outside Golden Bay resort where AIADMK MLAs are kept He said law and order may worsen in such an eventuality as the state was already facing a “desperate situation” due to cyclone, demonetization and death of Jayalalithaa. The petitioner claimed in case the appeal against her acquittal results in conviction, the AIADMK workers may once again protest and disturb the normal life of Tamil Nadu, adding that he filed the plea in the interest of people of Tamil Nadu and to maintain the peace in the state. Earlier, Sasikala had stated clearly that the delay in her swearing-in ceremony is nothing but an attempt to “create division in the party”. What to expect today from SC In case the Sasikala Natarajan is convicted by Supreme Court, she would be forced to resign. Sasikala cries foul, says 'vendetta by those who can't tolerate lady taking center stage' Meanwhile, with the number of AIADMK leaders joining acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s group increasing, party’s general secretary V.K. Sasikala on Sunday rubbished the letter stating that she would commit suicide if Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao does not take apt action to end the ongoing political crisis in Tamil Nadu and said that it was a conspiracy by those who cannot tolerate a lady taking the center stage in politics. “A letter addressed to the Governor, bearing my signature, is being circulated stating that I will kill myself. I would like to say that this letter is fake. It shows that there are some people, who cannot tolerate a lady’s entry in electoral politics,” Sasikala said.