The Karnataka High Court stayed the transfer of gold and diamond jewellery owned by the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to the government of the neighboring state with effect until March 26. On Tuesday, the stay was granted by a single judge bench of Justice Mohammed Nawaz on a plea by Jayalalithaa's niece J Deepa.
Confiscated in a disproportionate assets case against the deceased AIADMK leader, the valuables were set to be transferred to Tamil Nadu authorities by a special court starting Wednesday. However, the petitioner challenged the July 12, 2023 order from a special court arguing for Jayalalithaa's treatment as "acquitted" due to the Apex court halting proceedings against her.
According to the special court in Bengaluru, 27 kg of gold and diamond jewelry, serving as material evidence in the case against Jayalalithaa and co-accused, was scheduled to be transferred to the Tamil Nadu government on March 6 and 7. This transfer was intended to facilitate the liquidation of these assets to collect the Rs 100 crore fine levied on her, according to a report on PTI.
The court permitted the sale or auction of 20 kg of the jewelry, while exempting the remaining 7 kg, acknowledging it as inherited from her mother.
It was stated that the Tamil Nadu Government would proceed with the appropriate measures for disposing of this gold and diamond jewelry.
Ordering the transfer of the jewellery to the Tamil Nadu Government, the Special Court judge as per PTI had said, “Instead of auctioning the jewels, it is better to transfer the same to Tamil Nadu by handing over the same through the Department of Home, State of Tamil Nadu."
The Court had then issued the direction that the Tamil Nadu Home Department authorise "competent persons preferably in the rank of Secretary along with police to come and collect the jewels.”
ALSO READ: PM Modi Opens India's First Underwater Metro Route In Kolkata Amid 'Jai Shri Ram' Chants