Bengaluru: Ending a three-week long suspense, the Karnataka government decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court on Monday against the recent acquittal of Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa and three others in a disproportionate assets case.

The decision to challenge the May 11 verdict by Justice CR Kumaraswamy of the Karnataka high court was taken at a cabinet meeting after consulting with the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in the case BV Acharya, and state advocate general Ravivarma Kumar as well as the law ministry.

“The chief minister has directed me to file an appeal in the Supreme Court immediately,” law minister Jayachandra said. Replying to a query, he confirmed that Acharya will be the SPP in the case in the apex court.

He said the SPP was appointed on the direction of the Supreme Cour, and had advised filing the appeal against the acquittal of Jayalalithaa, with both the AG and law secretary agreeing.

“….And now the cabinet has decided to file the appeal,” he said, adding it was being done “legally on merit”.

The Supreme Court had specifically said that Karnataka had stepped into the shoes of Tamil Nadu, and that it was the sole prosecuting agency for all matters related to the disproportionate assets case, Jayachandra added.

In the May 11 verdict that restored chief ministership to her, Jayalalithaa was acquitted of “all charges” in the 19-year old disproportionate assets case which has dogged her political career. Three other convictions, including that of her close aide Sasikala Natarajan, were also cleared by the high court.

A fresh legal challenge to 67-year old came nine days after she made a triumphant return as chief minister with former CM O Panneerselvam making way for her following the acquittal.