DMK seeks removal of Jayalalithaa's portrait in TN assembly

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal unveiled a seven-foot-high portrait of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday.

However, an hour later, the DMK moved the Madras high court to remove it as Jayalalithaa was ‘found guilty of corruption charges by the Supreme Court.’

According to the petitioner, Jayalalithaa was originally convicted by a special court which was set by the Karnataka high court. However, on appeal, the Supreme Court found all the accused including her guilty of corruption charges.

She was not sentenced in view of her demise but the co-accused were convicted, sentenced to four years imprisonment with fine of Rs 100 crore along with orders issued to the accused that their properties should be attached.

Previously, the DMK had sought the removal of photos and Jayalalithaa’s name displayed and mentioned in government offices, buildings, public sector undertakings and government schemes but the case is still pending in the High Court.

Claiming the decision of the speaker to unveil Jayalalithaa’s portrait unconstitutional, the DMK said that a person who is found to be guilty by the Supreme Court of India is unjustified and cannot be tolerated in law or on morality.