Corruption

MGR expelled from DMK; AIADMK founded

After demanding that DMK ministers declare their assets, M. G. Ramachandran was expelled and launched the Anna DMK.

Sarkaria Commission of Inquiry into the DMK government

A one-man commission under Justice R. S. Sarkaria was appointed to inquire into corruption charges against the dismissed DMK government.

Wedding of Jayalalithaa's foster son Sudhakaran

More than 150,000 people watched the extravagant Madras wedding of V. N. Sudhakaran, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's foster son, an event later drawn into corruption cases.

Shankar's Indian released

Shankar's anti-corruption vigilante film Indian, starring Kamal Haasan, became the highest-grossing Tamil film on release and India's Oscar entry.

Jayalalithaa arrested in colour TV case

Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was arrested and remanded in judicial custody in a corruption case over the purchase of colour televisions.

Pleasant Stay verdict and the Dharmapuri bus burning

Jayalalithaa was sentenced to a year's imprisonment in the Pleasant Stay hotel case; in the violence that followed, three agricultural students were burnt to death in a bus at Dharmapuri.

Jayalalithaa convicted in the TANSI land case

A trial court convicted Jayalalithaa and Sasikala over the purchase of state TANSI land by their firms in 1992, a verdict that barred her from the 2001 election.

Midnight arrest of M. Karunanidhi

Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was arrested at his Chennai home in the early hours in a case over the construction of city flyovers.

Supreme Court unseats Jayalalithaa, O. Panneerselvam becomes Chief Minister

After the Supreme Court held Jayalalithaa's appointment invalid, O. Panneerselvam served as Chief Minister until she returned in March 2002.

Jayalalithaa assets case transferred to Bangalore

On a DMK petition, the Supreme Court moved the disproportionate assets trial of J. Jayalalithaa from Chennai to a special court in Bangalore.

Thirumangalam by-election

The DMK won the Thirumangalam assembly by-election on a turnout of about 89 percent, amid allegations of cash being paid for votes.

2G spectrum case arrests

Former Telecom Minister A. Raja and later Kanimozhi were arrested in the 2G spectrum case; a special court acquitted all accused in 2017.

Jayalalithaa convicted in disproportionate assets case

A Bengaluru special court convicted Jayalalithaa, forcing her to resign; the Karnataka High Court acquitted her in 2015 and she returned as Chief Minister.

Jayalalithaa acquitted on appeal and returns as Chief Minister

Acquitted in the assets case by the Karnataka High Court, J. Jayalalithaa took the oath as Chief Minister for a fifth time.

Sasikala convicted; Edappadi K. Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister

After the Supreme Court restored V. K. Sasikala's conviction, AIADMK legislators chose Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister.

Minister V. Senthil Balaji arrested by the ED

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam.