The conviction of J Jayalalithaa in a case of unexplained wealth has triggered protests by the AIADMK, who insist their leader is innocent. They say that as in past cases where she has been convicted of corruption, this time, too, she will get an acquittal. But the 1,000-page court order presents strong evidence to show how thousands of acres of land bought during Jayalalithaa's first tenure as chief minister trace directly back to her, and how her lawyers could not explain the sources of funds used to buy the land. Which begs the question: how will Jayalalithaa's legal team be able to get her legal relief, and will this be a major setback to her political career?
