The Judge V Radhakrishnan held that besides Sasikala, there was no language problem for the ten other accused in the Rs 10.16 crore colour TV case, including the prime accused Jayalalitha, and hence cross examination of the witnesses would continue.

Pointing out that even the Supreme Court had declined to stay proceedings in the trial, the judge said that Sasikala would have the liberty to formulate her defence on receipt of copies in Tamil.

The case relates to irregularities in the purchase of over 45,000 colour TV sets during Jayalalitha's Chief Ministership between 1991 and 1996, for distribution to village panchayats.

In her petition, Sasikala contended that the Madras High Court hadallowed her petition for Tamil translation of all documents pertaining to the `Tansi land deal' and `wealth' cases, in which she was an accused and Jayalalitha the main accused.

The judge held that the examination of witnesses by those accused in the case, other than Sasikala, would in no way be prejudicial to her rights in the case.

He observed that the Madras High Court had not given any direction to the effect that only after furnishing copies in Tamil, the lower court should proceed further in the trial. Under such circumstances, trial in the case scheduled for December 28 should not be postponed, he held.

On December 8, the Madras High Court had directed the prosecution to supply copies of documents in the language known to the accused, if sought by them.

Justice A Raman had allowed revision petitions filed by Sasikala and her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi, which sought to set aside orders of special courts dismissing their applications to furnish them copies of all documents, records, statements andfinal reports in Tamil.