Bangalore:
Jayalalithaa's estranged friend Sasikala today reportedly gave a clean chit to the Tamil Nadu chief minister in the disproportionate assets case in a Bangalore court. Ms Sasikala, who was expelled from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) recently, told the court today that she solely operated the bank account that is in question.
"Selvi Jayalalithaa was not involved in the affairs of the firm (Jaya Publications). I alone operated the bank account of the firm. Jayalalithaa was a partner who was not involved in the affairs of the firm", she said.
Ms Sasikala also said that the firm - Jaya publications - was operated completely by her and Ms Jayalalithaa was only a partner in the firm.
"True, as a partner, I was managing the affairs of Sasi Enterprises. In this firm, Jayalalithaa was not involved in any affairs. I alone operated the bank account. Jayalalithaa was a dormant partner", she stated.
During her statement, Ms Sasikala reportedly started crying at the beginning of her answer. Though she was able to recompose herself, her voice was extremely soft and her speech slow.
The recording of Sasikala's statement began after the Judge rejected her application seeking adjournment of the process citing pendency of her Special Leave Petition on the translation issue in Supreme Court.
Out of about 1,000 odd questions framed by the court, Sasikala answered 40 which were translated into English by interpreter K S Harish.
The Judge then adjourned the recording of the statement to February 23.
The case relates to accumulation of wealth allegedly disproportionate to Ms Jayalalithaa's known sources of income when she was chief minister in 1991-96. Ms Jayalalithaa, is accused of amassing more than Rs. 60 crore wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income.
Ms Sasikala is accused number two in the case and this was the first time that she recorded her statement in the case. The Chief Minister had recently expelled Ms Sasikala and 11 of her relatives from her party, the AIADMK. No reason was officially given for the drastic step, but the move was seen by many as an attempt by Ms Jayalalithaa to reign in an increasingly powerful Sasikala.
There were complaints that Ms Sasikala and her family were trying to dominate matters in the AIADMK and attempting to influence government functioning. Those who were handed the pink slip included Ms Sasikala's husband, Natarajan and her nephew and former MP T T V Dinakaran.
(With PTI Inputs)
"Selvi Jayalalithaa was not involved in the affairs of the firm (Jaya Publications). I alone operated the bank account of the firm. Jayalalithaa was a partner who was not involved in the affairs of the firm", she said.
Ms Sasikala also said that the firm - Jaya publications - was operated completely by her and Ms Jayalalithaa was only a partner in the firm.
"True, as a partner, I was managing the affairs of Sasi Enterprises. In this firm, Jayalalithaa was not involved in any affairs. I alone operated the bank account. Jayalalithaa was a dormant partner", she stated.
During her statement, Ms Sasikala reportedly started crying at the beginning of her answer. Though she was able to recompose herself, her voice was extremely soft and her speech slow.
The recording of Sasikala's statement began after the Judge rejected her application seeking adjournment of the process citing pendency of her Special Leave Petition on the translation issue in Supreme Court.
Out of about 1,000 odd questions framed by the court, Sasikala answered 40 which were translated into English by interpreter K S Harish.
The Judge then adjourned the recording of the statement to February 23.
The case relates to accumulation of wealth allegedly disproportionate to Ms Jayalalithaa's known sources of income when she was chief minister in 1991-96. Ms Jayalalithaa, is accused of amassing more than Rs. 60 crore wealth disproportionate to her known sources of income.
Ms Sasikala is accused number two in the case and this was the first time that she recorded her statement in the case. The Chief Minister had recently expelled Ms Sasikala and 11 of her relatives from her party, the AIADMK. No reason was officially given for the drastic step, but the move was seen by many as an attempt by Ms Jayalalithaa to reign in an increasingly powerful Sasikala.
There were complaints that Ms Sasikala and her family were trying to dominate matters in the AIADMK and attempting to influence government functioning. Those who were handed the pink slip included Ms Sasikala's husband, Natarajan and her nephew and former MP T T V Dinakaran.
(With PTI Inputs)
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