The Supreme Court today convicted AIADMK ad-hoc General Secretary VK Sasikala in a 19-year old disproportionate assets case that also involved late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. In the court’s verdict in the case, Ms Sasikala and her two relatives were found guilty under Prevention of Corruption Act.

A bench of justices PC Ghose and AK Roy directed them to surrender forthwith to the trial court in Bengaluru and serve the remaining part of the four year jail term.

The AIADMK General Secretary cannot also contest elections for the next 10 years. The bench, however, abated the appeal proceedings against Ms Jayalalithaa owing to her death. The apex court set aside Karnataka High Court’s order which had, in May 2015, overturned a trial court’s verdict exonerating Ms Jayalalithaa and Ms Sasikala. Karnataka government had challenged the High Court verdict in the Supreme Court.

Today’s verdict disqualifies Sasikala from becoming a legislator, and she can’t be the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister either. She is locked in a power struggle with acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam over government formation in the state. Ms Sasikala was elected as the AIADMK’s legislature party leader last week, paving way for her to become the Chief Minister. Panneerselvam had, however, revolted against Ms Sasikala saying he was forced to resign.