In Brief
This landmark corruption case involved former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha and three associates (Sasikala, Sudhakaran, and Elavarasi) charged with acquiring disproportionate assets (Rs.66.65 crores) while holding public office (1991-1996). The Trial Court convicted them; the High Court acquitted, finding only 8.12% disproportionate assets. The Supreme Court restored convictions, holding: income tax orders are not binding on criminal courts; gifts to public servants violate anti-corruption law; the High Court made critical arithmetic errors and failed to independently assess evidence. The court emphasized that under the PC Act, lawful source of income means legitimate origin; circumstantial evidence establishes conspiracy; and properties held benami require proof of fund flow from the public servant.
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