The Justice A. Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry, which is looking into the death of Jayalalithaa, is inclined to provide V.K. Sasikala with the details of evidence against her and a list of witnesses.
Sasikala’s lawyers had filed an application in this regard on Saturday. In the application which, in turn, was filed in response to summons issued to Sasikala on December 21, she sought the testimonies of witnesses who had deposed against her, any evidence they placed before the Commission and the right to cross-examine them.
A source at the Commission said on Monday that Justice Arumughaswamy was ready to pass relevant orders but was awaiting the arrival of Sasikala’s lawyers. “We will pass the orders when the lawyer presents himself. This is a court; parties have a right to access the evidence against them,” said the source.
In her application, Sasikala pointed out that the Commission’s communication – which cited unfavourable witness testimonies to summon her – did not provide any relevant details. She had cited section 8 B and C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to say that she had a right to obtain evidence against her and to cross-examine the witnesses.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Monday examined K.S. Sivakumar, consultant plastic surgeon at the Apollo Hospitals, who was with Jayalalithaa during her final hours. Dr. Sivakumar is Sasikala’s elder brother Sundaravadanam’s son-in-law.
The Commission examined Dr. Sivakumar between 10.30 a.m and 2 p.m. He has been asked to return on January 22 for continuing his testimony.
