J Jayalalithaa’s thumb impression to be compared with one in Bengaluru jail

TNN | Updated: Nov 25, 2017, 05:48 IST



File photo of J Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: In a new twist to the debate over the authenticity of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's thumb impression found in her party candidates' nomination papers filed during her hospitalisation, the Madras high court has decided to compare it with the leader's fingerprints available with Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru.

It also asked the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to furnish Jayalalithaa's thumb impression details to the court.

The superintendent of central prison at Parappana Agrahara and regional officer of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which handles Aadhaar, must give the detail pertaining to the fingerprints to the court by December 8, said Justice P Velmurugan.

Jayalalithaa was lodged in the jail after her conviction in the Rs 65.66 crore disproportionate assets case in 2014.

Dr Saravanan, who lost to the AIADMK candidate in the Thirupparankundram byelection last year, questioned the validity of the election saying his rival's nomination was illegal since Jayalalithaa was too ill to sign and attest the documents. He alleged that the candidate forged the former chief minister's signature on nominations. The election commission too had failed to scrutinise it and take action, he said.

In an earlier hearing, the Election Commission of India, which was summoned to present its explanation, said that it accepted Jayalalithaa's thumb impression on the nomination forms based not on personal verification but on an authorisation by AIADMK presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan.

The case has evoked much public debate, as none, other than the treating doctors, paramedics and a few others close to her, was allowed to meet Jayalalithaa during the 73 days of hospitalisation. It was the first time that she had affixed her thumb impression on any official document.