New Delhi, September 12
The Supreme Court today asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to personally appear before a Karnataka trial court on October 20 and make her statement in a corruption case pending against her.

A Bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma passed the order after senior counsel Harish Salve, arguing for Jayalalithaa, stated that his client had agreed to appear before the trial court, provided adequate security was given to her by holding the hearing in a special building. She also wanted her statement to be recorded the same day.

The Bench, however, asked the Karnataka government to provide her adequate security but made it clear it was for the trial court to choose the venue. The apex court said her statement may be recorded the same day if possible.

Jayalalithaa had come to the SC seeking exemption from personal appearance because of her position as chief minister and the difficulties arising from it. She was ready to give her statement in writing, responding to all the clarifications sought by the trial court, she had said.

The disproportionate assets case against her relates to the alleged accumulation of wealth worth over Rs 66 crore between 1991 and 1996 when she was chief minister. She has maintained that it was a politically motivated case foisted against her by her rival DMK when it was in power. The case had been transferred to Karnataka on her plea for ensuring a fair and free trial.

The trial court would record her statement under Section 313(5) intended to giving a final chance to the accused for repudiating the charges.