BBC Online :India’s Supreme Court has granted bail to the imprisoned former chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Jayaram Jayalalitha.Jayalalitha, one of India’s most controversial and colourful politicians, was jailed last month for four years on corruption charges.In a case that lasted 18 years, she was found guilty of amassing unaccounted-for wealth of more than $10m (£6.1m).Supporters wept on the streets when a court rejected an earlier bail plea.Granting bail on Friday, India’s top court directed her to “complete all paperwork” relating to the appeal against her conviction within two months in the Karnataka high court.Lawyers for Ms Jayalalitha, 66, had argued that she should be given bail because she is unwell and appealing against her conviction in a higher court.But the court warned Ms Jayalalitha it would not give her “a day more” if she failed to complete the procedures.The Supreme Court also asked the former chief minister to ensure her party workers remained peaceful.Her supporters protests against last month’s conviction meant they had to be forcibly dispersed by police.The Karnataka court has sentenced Jayalalitha and three other accused to four years in prison each, with Jayalalitha also facing a 1bn rupee fine ($16m, £10m). The others have been ordered to pay a fine of about $1.6m each.
