Sasikala gives clean chit to Jayalalithaa in wealth case

Sasikala Natarajan, estranged aide of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, on Saturday deposed before a special court in Bengaluru in the wealth case against them, absolving the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo of any responsibility in the handling of companies in which the two were partners.

Answering questions from Judge B M Mallikarjunaiah pertaining to Jaya Publications and Sasi Enterprises, Sasikala, second accused in the 15-year old case, told the court that she alone managed the affairs of the companies and Jayalalithaa was only a 'dormant partner'.

"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.

To another question on Sasi Enterprises, Sasikala's submission was similar. "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.

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.