Date:11/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/03/11/stories/2005031108760400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Security in Bangalore court

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 10. The Bangalore City Police Commissioner S. Mariswamy on Thursday inspected security arrangements at the district civil and sessions courts complex where a special court has been set up to hear the Rs. 66.63-crore disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa from March 14. The Special Judge A.S. Pachapure will be hearing the case.

The Police Commissioner described it as a routine check and said security will be arranged within the complex and the special court during the hearings. The Registrar of the District and Sessions Courts had requested the police for adequate security during the hearings. The designated court hall on the first floor has been enlarged by knocking down a section of a partition wall. Extra furniture and a separate enclosure for the media will be provided in view of the importance of the trial.

All the accused in the case, including Ms. Jayalalithaa and Sasikalaa Natarajan, will have to execute fresh bail bonds as the bonds executed earlier is valid only in Tamil Nadu, sources said. All the accused on whom summons have been served will either have to appear before the Special Court on March 14 or file for exemptions from personal appearance.