This effectively bars the AIADMK supremo from contesting in elections for a period of six years from the date she completes the sentence as per Sec 8(3) of the Representation of People Act. With state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu due early next year, the timing of the judgement gives very little time for Ms Jayalalitha to proceed further legally so as to get her name cleared to contest in the polls.

The election commission has made it mandatory that nomination papers of every candidate should be accompanied by a declaration that he or she has not been convicted in any case. Ms Jayalalitha, according to legal experts, will not be in a position to make this declaration unless a higher court sets aside the special court judgement.

Apart from Ms Jayalalitha, her friend Ms Sasikala, a former minister and three others have been convicted with RI for a period of three years in the Jaya Publications case. In the Sasi Enterprises case, the AIADMK leader and her friend Ms Sasikala, apart from others have been convicted for two years. It is not clear if both the sentences will run concurrently or one after the other.

The case revolves around purchase of land and buildings from two units of Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corporation (Tansi) by Jaya Publications and Sasi Enterprises, firms in which both Ms Jayalalitha and Ms Sasikala are partners. The prosection had charged that the transaction had resulted in a loss of Rs 4.16 crore to Tansi as a result of undervaluation of the sale.

They were also charged for stamp duty evasion and reduction of registration charges.