M A I N   N E W S

Jaya may contest: HC

Chennai, April 11
The Madras High Court today ruled AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha faced no disqualification in contesting the May 10 Tamil Nadu Assembly poll.

Dismissing her petition seeking stay of conviction in the Tansi land case, Judge Malai Subramaniam said conviction and sentence were inseparable and since the sentence had already been suspended earlier by the High Court, the conviction also stood suspended.

Soon after the Election Commission announced the date for the polls, Ms Jayalalitha had moved the High Court under Section 389 Cr.PC., dealing with pleas against convictions to overcome her ineligibility to contest the elections under the Representation of the People Act (RPA).

On October 9, 2000, special Judge P. Anbazhagan had sentenced Ms Jayalalitha to two prison terms of three years and two years, respectively, in two corruption cases. PTI