Chennai, Oct 18 (IANS): AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J.Jayalalithaa Saturday evening returned here after spending 21 days in the Bangalore Central Jail.

The special flight carrying Jayalalithaa landed at Chennai airport and when she came out, AIADMK cadres assembled in large numbers shouted 'Long Live Amma'.

Jayalalithaa drove straight to her residence in Poes Garden area.

Party cadres - men and women - braving heavy rain were assembled outside her residence and the airport to have a glimpse of their leader.

They also lined up on both sides of the road outside the airport to greet Jayalalithaa.

Around 500 police personnel were deployed at the airport for security.

"It is pouring here as she is reaching the city. She brings rain to the city," a party worker said.

A special court Sep 27 had convicted Jayalalithaa in the Rs.66.65-crore disproportionate assets case and sentenced her to four years simple imprisonment, with a fine of Rs.100 crore.

The court also sentenced three of Jayalalithaa's associates to similar jail terms and a fine of Rs.10 crore each.

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu Friday stayed the four-year jail sentence and also granted her bail.

The special court also issued orders to release Jayalalithaa and her three associates -- Sasikala Natarajan, V. Sudhakaran and J. Elavarisi.