New Delhi, Jan 30 – In a setback to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the Supreme Court on Thursday said she will face trial for failing to file Income Tax return for three years in her capacity as a partner of Shashi Enterprises which she jointly owned with her aide Sasikala.
The apex court bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan ordered the trial court to complete the trial within a period of four months.
Jayalalithaa along with Sasikala had set up Sashi Enterprises wherein neither the enterprise nor its both partners filed their Income Tax return for year 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94.
The chief minister had claimed that she had no taxable income for that year, and therefore there was no question of tax evasion.
However, economic offences court in Chennai rejected their contention, holding that non-filing of ITR was an offence and they will face trial.
On appeal, the high court accepted the findings of the economic offences court and both Jayalalithaa and Sasikala will face trial.
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with the High Court order.
– Indiatoday
