Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s properties and valuables, which were confiscated in the 2014 disproportionate assets (DA) case, have now been handed over. A special court in Bengaluru has ruled that gold jewelry, diamond articles, and property documents be transferred to the Tamil Nadu government.
The valuables were transported in large trunks and handed over to officials from Tamil Nadu’s vigilance department. Anne Mary Swarna, Joint Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, received the items.
Jayalalitha’s Returned Gold And Silver Jewellery
Gold jewellery, some adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies, along with three silver articles weighing a staggering 27 kg, has now been returned to the Tamil Nadu government. The process was overseen by a licensed appraiser from the state.
Among the most remarkable items handed over were a 1.2 kg gold waistbelt, a 1.5 kg gold sword, and a gold pen—treasured possessions of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Earlier, her confiscated sarees and sandals had also been returned.
Treasury boxes containing old currency notes worth ₹59,870 and ₹1,60,514 were also recovered. However, since these notes were demonetized, the court has directed the RBI to exchange them for valid currency and transfer the amount to the Tamil Nadu government.
Additionally, fixed deposit receipts worth ₹10.18 crore (as of 2023) were in custody, with banks instructed to deposit the amount in the Tamil Nadu treasury.
The confiscation extended beyond valuables—properties registered under six companies, spanning 1,526.16 acres across Chennai, Thanjavur, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Thiruvarur, and Thoothukudi, were also seized.
Demonetised Currency Sent To RBI
Treasury boxes containing old currency notes worth ₹59,870 and ₹1,60,514 were also recovered. However, since these notes were demonetized, the court has directed the RBI to exchange them for valid currency and transfer the amount to the Tamil Nadu government.
Why The Jewellery Was Handed Over?
According a Deccan Herald, “These items were received by this court to conduct the trial. Since the trial has been conducted and this court has already passed necessary orders for handling over these items to the state of Tamil Nadu, the same has been compiled be handing over these items to the state of Tamil Nadu, the same has been compiled by handing over the same to the officers of Tamil Nadu,” Said Justice Mohan in his order.
The court ordered a luxury bus seized during the investigation to be auctioned since there were no claimants. The Judge also suggested that “Since a large extent of public emotion is involved pertaining to this case” to use seized properties and develop them either for public purposes or create layouts and distribute them to the “siteless poor people” or sell them in public auction. From the Rs 20 crore fine amount deposited by the accused, the court ordered the release of Rs 13 crore to the Karnataka government towards trial expenses.
What Happened To DA Case?
Jayalalithaa was convicted in disproportionate assets (DA) case in 2014. She was later acquitted by the High Court. However, while the State’s appeal was pending before the Supreme Court, she passed away in 2016.
A day after Supreme Court dismissed former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s legal heirs’ plea for release of her confiscated assets, a CBI court in Bengaluru on Saturday handed over AIADMK’s leader’s assets to Tamil Nadu government. On February 14, the apex court dismissed their appeal.
