File photo of J Jayalalithaa
This is how the 18-year-case against J Jayalalithaa unfolded in her home state of Tamil Nadu and neighboring Karnataka.
1996: Dr Subramanian Swamy, then a leader of the Janata Party, files a case against Ms Jayalalithaa alleging that during her term as Chief Minister from 1991 to 1996, she accumulated assets worth 66 crores that could not be explained by her declared income.
Dec 7, 1996: The DMK is in power. Ms Jayalalithaa is arrested and released a few weeks later.
October 1, 1997: Madras High Court dismisses three petitions by Ms Jayalalithaa including one challenging the sanction granted by then Governor M Fathima Beevi for prosecuting her.
2001: Her party, the AIADMK, wins the state election and Ms Jayalalithaa becomes Chief Minister. But after she is convicted in another case, her appointment is challenged and the Supreme Court rules against her.
September 21, 2001: Ms Jayalalithaa ceases to be Chief Minister.
February 2002: After her conviction is set aside, Ms Jayalalithaa is elected to the Assembly in a by-election and again sworn in as Chief Minister.
2011: Appearing before the court four times, Ms Jayalalithaa has answered more than 1,000 questions in closed door hearings during which she has maintained that the case was "political vendetta".