(Image source from: Income Tax Cases withdrawn against Jayalaitha})

Relief to AIDMK chief Jayalalithaa, a court in south Indian state of Tamil Nadu discharged her from 18-year old Income Tax (IT) return case, on withdrawal of prosecution by the IT department.

A total of four cases against Jayalalithaa, her assistant and the company in which they are partners were "dismissed as withdrawn from prosecution" by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R Dakshinamurthy.

"Orders passed by the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation) (on compouding) is perused. The case against the accused is dismissed as withdrawn from prosectuion under 321 CrPC. The accused are discharged," he said citing a plea seeking nod for withdrawal of prosecution.

The cases were filed against Jayalalithaa and others in 1996 and 1997, for failing to pay Income Tax returns in individual and as per partners of Sasi Enterprises.

Section 321 of CrPC allows withdrawal from prosecution by the Public Prosecutor with the consent of the court at any time before the judgment is pronounced.

During the pendency of the case in the past two decades, the trial court and the Madras High Court had dismissed discharge petitions by the accused.

Passing orders on their appeal against this, the Supreme Court had in January last year directed the court to complete the trial in four months.

AW: Arun Kumar