As Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitava Roy of the Supreme Court read out their verdict in the high-profile Disproportionate Assets case, not only were they ruling on the political future of VK Sasikala, but also the legacy of J Jayalalithaa.
As Tamil Nadu now turns its attention to how Sasikala and O Panneerselvam will outdo each other in the ongoing political crisis, let's remember that the Supreme Court effectively also held Jayalalithaa guilty of corruption, and holding disproportionate assets.
While pronouncing the verdict, Justice PC Ghose said that while the trial court order against A2, A3 and A4 (Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran) is restored – effectively holding them guilty and imposing the Rs 10 crore fine on them – he stated that the case against Jayalalithaa had 'abated'.
Since Jayalalithaa is dead, she cannot be declared a convict, but by abating the case against her and holding the others guilty, the court has effectively pronounced her guilty.