File photo of Jayalalithaa at an election rally
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and her close aide N Sasikala today failed to appear in a Chennai court in connection with a case that was registered against them for their refusal to file income tax returns between 1991 and 1994.
This is the second time the AIADMK leader has skipped a court appearance. On April 3, her counsel had requested the court to excuse her from a personal appearance, arguing that her job makes it essential for her to be available to take urgent decisions and prevent crises. The court, however, turned down her request, and asked her to appear before it a week later.
Sasikala, who lives with her and is also part of the case too had to appear in the court, the court had ordered. The women were partners in Sasi Enterprises, a company that did not file returns. As a Partner, Ms Jayalalithaa too had not filed for the year 1993.
In January, the Supreme Court ruled that Jayalalithaa will have to face trial and directed the Egmore Court in Chennai to complete trial in four months. The chief minister has now appealed to the Supreme Court to extend the deadline for completing the trial in the case by another four months.
The chief minister had claimed that she had no taxable income for the three years, and therefore there was no question of tax evasion, as alleged by some officials. The court is expected to give its ruling on her plea later in the day.
Jayalalithaa is also reportedly planning to move Madras High Court challenging the dismissal of her plea for exemption from personal appearance.