SC grants bail to former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa in graft case

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to J Jayalalithaa, the former Tamil Nadu chief minister who imprisoned for amassing millions of rupees in illegal wealth, after her lawyer said she was in poor health.

On 27 September, Jayalalithaa was sentenced to four years in jail for holding Rs 53 core ($8.7 million) in unaccounted cash and property.

Jayalalithaa's lawyer told the court that the 66-year-old former TN CM had been unwell since she was interned in a Bangalore prison following her conviction, prosecution lawyer Subramaniam Swamy said.

Celebrations erupted outside AIADMK supremo's party office in Chennai, with television showing her supporters dancing, distributing sweets and pouring milk on her pictures.

Jayalalithaa acted in several movies before joining politics and has a huge fan following. She endeared herself to millions by distributing free laptops, grinders and fans to voters.

Swamy said the apex court sought assurance from Jayalalitha that her fans would not resort to street demonstrations to protest her innocence and attack her political rivals.

Following news of her arrest in September, Jayalalithaa's supporters had clashed with the police and violence erupted in parts of Tamil Nadu.

"A clear warning has gone from the Supreme Court for Tamil Nadu to behave and not carry out any violence in the state," Swamy said.

(Reuters)