Jayalalithaa verdict: Pin drop silence in packed court hall

Bengaluru: Tension and jubilation prevailed prior to and after the judgment in the case. Advocates, practising in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and reporters from the two states started gathering from 8 am near the Karnataka high court campus, which was scheduled to pronounce its verdict at 11 am.

Around 9 am, police officers posted at the entrance of the high court made an announcement that everyone will be allowed to enter the premises only from 10 am. While the advocates can make their entry through the main gate, reporters will be permitted through the Cubbon Park gate near the Press Club entrance, they added.

At 10 am, the police started permitting advocates from Karnataka and only 25 advocates from TN who were counsel on record in the case to enter the campus. Other advocates from Tamil Nadu had to argue with them to gain entry.

Thereafter, the police allowed only journalists who had accreditation cards. Reporters who had only their office ID cards denied entrance. However, local reporters managed to gain entry after arguing with the police. Reporters from TN who had no accreditation cards had a tough time - running from pillar to post - to gain entry.

Around 10.30 am, court hall No. 14 was packed with more than a 100 advocates from TN and Karnataka, but there was pin drop silence. Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy came to the court hall at 10.55 am and occupied his seat. He took the order copy and read the concluding portion of the judgment, saying, “Appeals 835, 836, 837 and 838 of 2014 are allowed.”

AIADMK advocates thanked the judge with folded hands. Thereafter, within five minutes, the judge retired to his chamber. Soon after the judge left, the AIADMK advocates hugged each another and exchanged greetings. Advocates S. Diwakar and C. Thirumaran distributed sweets to their colleagues. They came out of the
court hall shouting, “Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Vazhga”.