Date:24/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/24/stories/2006022403420400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Wealth case: Special Judge takes over

Staff Reporter

Jayalalithaa is one of the five accused

A.T. Munnoli is the second judge to try the case

Jayalalithaa's trial has been stayed by the Supreme Court

BANGALORE: A.T. Munnoli on Thursday took over as Special Judge of the Special Court here to try the "disproportionate assets" case against Taml Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and four others.

A.S. Pachhapure, who was the first judge of the Special Court to try the case, was transferred last month to the Karnataka High Court as Registrar General.

Mr. Munnoli was Special Judge of the Special Court set up by the Karnataka Government to try the stamp paper racket case against Abdul Kareem Telgi and others. Mr. Munnoli will be the second judge after Mr. Pachhapure to preside over the disproportionate assets case against Ms. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala Natarajan, Illavarasi, T.T.V. Dinakaran and Sudhagaran.

Presiding Officer of the Transport Appellate Authority Vishwanath Virupax Angadi replaces Mr. Munnoli. Kotravva Somappa Mudagal has been appointed in place of Mr. Angadi.

As Ms. Jayalalithaa's trial has been stayed by the Supreme Court, Mr. Munnoli will hear appeals and revision matters, which will be posted before him from Friday. There is no change in the posting of other staff of the Special Court trying the disproportionate assets case. Court Officer Pichu Mutthu, who retired sometime ago, has been reappointed.