It’s a matter of great relief to people in Tamil Nadu, who seek a fair degree of normality in everyday life, that former CM J. Jayalalithaa was granted bail as she appeals against her conviction in the disproportionate assets case. While she has been held guilty, it is only fair that in an anticipated quick appeal process, a person is not kept in prison until the possibility of her being proved innocent is legally exhausted. The immediate precedent of Lalu Prasad Yadav, another top politician who was convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, being given bail was also there for the court’s consideration.
All courts in India should note the Supreme Court’s comments while dealing with Ms Jayalalithaa’s appeal against the conviction and sentence that stalling tactics shouldn’t be allowed to bog down the justice delivery system. The court granted bail after her counsel agreed to a speedy appeals process, accepting that the huge 18-year delay in delivering judgment in this case shouldn’t have taken place.
While out on bail, the former CM can be expected to play a stabilising role in the rule of Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam while she ensures the party rallies around her in the political sense. Party bosses having an iron hand in how the government functions as a welfare provider is not really unknown in Indian politics. Until her status becomes clear in the appeals process, the role of Ms Jayalalithaa will have to remain that of a powerful party boss.
