New Delhi: In a major setback to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Supreme Court today (November 18) ordered transfer of two disproportionate assets cases against her to neighbouring Karnataka saying the manner in which the Chennai trial court proceeded with the cases raised doubts over the free and fairness of the trial.

Allowing a petition filed by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader K Anbazaghan seeking transfer of the trial to another state alleging that witness after witness resiled from their statements, a Bench comprising Justice S N Variava and Justice H K Sema said the cases were being transferred to Karnataka so as to maintain the sanctity of the justice delivery system and the faith of the common man in it.

The cases emanated from a complaint filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy alleging that Jayalalithaa had amassed wealth to the tune of Rs 66 crores disproportionate to her known sources of income.

The Bench directed the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice to forthwith constitute a special court, appoint a special Judge and appoint a senior advocate as public prosecutor, all within six weeks to expeditiously conduct the trial in the two cases on a day to day basis.

PTI