Supreme Court today delivered a split verdict on a DMK leader's plea seeking removal of a public prosecutor from representing state in the Karnataka High Court which recently reserved verdict on an appeal of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case.

As a consequence of the split verdict, the matter was referred to Chief Justice H L Dattu to constitute a larger bench for an authoritative pronouncement.

Justice Madan B Lokur, heading the bench, allowed the plea of DMK leader K Anbazhagan seeking removal of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Bhawani Singh and ordered a fresh hearing on the AIADMK chief's plea against her conviction saying the proceedings have been "vitiated".

However, Justice R Banumathi differed with Justice Lokur and held that the SPP was duly authorised to represent the state before the Karnataka High Court as well.

During the pronouncement, Justice Lokur said the delay in deciding the case was "extremely unfortunate" and the "criminal justice delivery system is a loser". He also observed that "something drastic needs to done".