India: Regional leader arrested on corruption charges

December 7, 1996
Web posted at: 3:50 p.m. EST (2050 GMT)

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- A former movie idol who until May headed the government of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu was arrested Saturday on corruption charges, United News of India said.

Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram was charged with skimming an undetermined amount of money from a $2.4 million government purchase of televisions, allegedly at inflated prices. She has denied any wrongdoing.

The news agency said some 400 of her supporters were taken into custody in various parts of Tamil Nadu for protesting against her arrest.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 

Related sites:

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• Rediff on the Net: India Online News Information Entertainment
  • Jayalalitha arrested!
  • Jayalalitha involved in Rs 85.3 million colour television purchase scandal

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