Jaya's day in court: 'NO' is the answer for 380 questions

Bangalore, Oct 21: With the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's arrival in Bangalore for the court hearing in the Disproportionate Assets case, the city has been converted into a virtual fortress of security. With a 26-car convoy accompanying her and close to 1500 police personnel from the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka police giving her security cover, besides those from the National Security Guard, Jayalalithaa seem to be enjoying her spot in the limelight.

It has been reported that she appeared calm and composed during the high profile hearing and answered as many as 380 questions posed by the judges pertaining to the case. With the hearing continuing for the second day, the TN CM will have to return for the hearing from Chennai. She had flown back to Chennai after the completion of the first day of hearing.

Jayalalithaa is believed to have answered the questions herself without seeking the help of her counsel. Considering that the case has close to 250 witnesses, the judges are likely to seek answers for a total of 1300-1500 questions.

B M Mallikarjunaiah, the Special court judge hearing the case said that he began the recording of her statements in-camera at 11 am. He added that most of her answers were brief denials of the prosecution's version. She replied to as many as 80-odd questions, ''I do not know.'' She rubbished other questions, to as many as 120 questions and said they were false allegations. To other questions, she replied, 'I have no knowledge' or 'I am not concerned'.

After avoiding a court appearance for a while, she had to finally concede after the Supreme Court made it mandatory for her to appear in court. A special court was set up for her at the Parappana Agrahara Central jail in Bangalore which will make sure that she gets enough security cover.

The nature of the questions the judges sought answers from on Day 1 was related to the alleged misuse of officials for personal work, her stakes in various companies and properties held by her and the other accused. On being asked if she misused her office and if govt officers were used for personal work, she boldly stated, "I never use any officials for my personal work.''

On the allegations pertaining to her owning of properties and that she was a silent partner to properties owned by her associate N Sasikalaa and J Elavarasi, Jayalalithaa only firmly replied, "I have nothing to do with their properties. I have no personal knowledge of those properties."

Speaking to reporters following the hearing on Thursday, Jayalalithaa's counsel, B Kumar said, "She (Jayalalithaa) answered all the questions precisely and to the point. Questioning will continue again and we are expecting equal number of queries tomorrow."

OneIndia News