Jayalalithaa Sworn In Despite Conviction, Later Unseated: The Controversial Tenure of an Unabashed Chief Minister
• Fathima Beevi swore in Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister in 2001 despite her being disqualified from contesting elections due to conviction • This was controversial as convicted ministers would typically resign, but Jayalalithaa marched into office unabashed • The Supreme Court later unseated Jayalalithaa for being disqualified from holding office due to her conviction • Beevi was criticized for her report on Karunanidhi's midnight arrest, seen as reproducing the state government's views • Beevi rejected mercy petitions of Rajiv Gandhi assassins, but the High Court set aside the order over lack of Council of Ministers' advice