The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, who on Thursday recorded her statement before a Special Court in Bangalore in connection with a disproportionate assets case, will appear before the court again on Friday.
While she answered 379 questions based on evidence presented by the prosecution, she is expected to answer more on Friday.
In two long sessions with half-an-hour lunch recess, she answered “precisely and to the point”, said her counsel, Mr B. Kumar, to the waiting media persons, nearly a kilometre away from Gandhi Bhavan in Parappana Agrahara on the city's outskirts where the court functioned. The media was not allowed to enter the court premises.
According to Mr Kumar, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was not perturbed and remained calm during the proceeding. “She explained in details wherever required. The questions are not complete, it will continue tomorrow. Similar number of questions or more could be asked,” he added.
The proceeding, which commenced at 11 a.m. and went on till 2 p.m., resumed after lunch at 2.45 p.m. By the time Ms Jayalalithaa came out of the court room, it was around 5 p.m, sources said and added a battery of 16 advocates, including Mr Kumar represented her. A team of four led by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), Mr B.V. Acharya, represented the prosecution.
Assistant to the SPP, Mr Sandesh Chowta, told Business Line that the 379 questions posed to her revolved around the incriminating circumstances appearing against the accused, and based on evidences given by 92 witnesses. Questions regarding the other 259 witnesses will be posed to her tomorrow.
Earlier, in the day the Chief Minister, who arrived at HAL airport in Bangalore by a special aircraft, reached the court premises by 10.30 a.m. in a convoy of nine vehicles.
She was accompanied by her close friend and aide, Ms Sasikala, and the latter's relative Ms Ilavarasi, both of whom are co-accused in the case, in a SUV.
Mr V.N. Sudhakaran, another accused, reached the court around 10.50 a.m.
The Special Court Judge, Mr B.M. Mallikarjunaiah, also arrived at the venue amidst security at 9.40 a.m.