Jaya defends Bhavani Singh’s continuance as SPP

Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa argued that DMK leader K Anbazhagan’s petition to remove Bhavani Singh as Special Public Prosecutor in the appeal on the Rs 666.5 million disproportionate case is not a “genuine plea.” In a hearing before a Special Bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and R Banumathi, senior counsel Fali Nariman contended that Singh was no “intruder” in the case and he had in his favour a notification issued by the Karnataka government appointing him as Special Public Prosecutor. “No one can appoint or remove the SPP except Karnataka, and Karnataka has not made any move to withdraw the notification,” Nariman said. The senior advocate argued that Singh’s appointment was in the “case” and not just the trial. “A criminal ‘case’ does not conclude with acquittal or conviction. The case includes the whole gamut – including appeal,” Nariman submitted.