Supreme Court Reinstates Criminal Charges Against Latha Rajinikanth in 'Kochadaiiyaan' Case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated the purported criminal charges against Latha Rajinikanth in connection with the Tamil film ‘Kochadaiiyaan’.

This decision was made by a panel consisting of Justice AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, who issued the ruling during the proceedings concerning the petitions contesting the judgment of the Karnataka High Court.

“Accordingly, the SLP(Crl) No. 9818/2022 and SLP(Crl.) No. 8327/2022 is disposed of by restoring the final report filed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner(s) in SLP(Crl.) No.8327/2022 to file an appropriate application, if so advised, seeking discharge,” the court said.

“We make it clear that if such application is filed on behalf of the petitioner(s), the findings rendered under the impugned order will not stand in the way, and the Trial Court is directed,” the court said, reported Newsagency ANI.

“Taking into consideration the further submissions made, the physical presence of the petitioner-accused shall stand dispensed with until and unless the same is required by the court,” the court said.

According to the newsagency, the court added: “Taking into consideration the further submissions made, the physical presence of the petitioner-accused shall stand dispensed with until and unless the same is required by the Trial Court.”

“We further make it clear that we have not expressed any opinions on the merits of the case and it is well open to the parties to resolve the issue, also through mediation,” the court said.

Both parties contest the High Court of Karnataka’s order dated August 2, 2022.

After listening to both arguments, the court concluded that, based on this Court’s prior ruling on July 10, 2018, in Criminal Appeal, the petitioners’ only options are to file for discharge or proceed with the trial.

Ad Bureau Advertising Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai, has contested the Karnataka High Court’s decision, which dismissed the cheating case against Latha.

On August 2, 2022, the Karnataka High Court provided some relief to Latha by dismissing the cheating charges against her, though the forgery charges remain.