FERA case: Sasikala’s plea posted to May 4

The Judge A Zakir Hussain, while adjourning the matter to May 4 for passing order on Sasikala’s petition, also directed V Bhaskaran, another accused in the case, to appear before the court on the same day for framing charges against him.

When the matter came up for hearing, her senior counsel B Kumar submitted that Sasikala has been suffering from severe back pain. “She is not in a position to travel in a police van from Bengaluru and return,” he said. 

Vehemently opposing the plea, public prosecutor for ED, Dhandapani, said the case has reached an important stage and court is all set to frame charges against Sasikala, her relative Bhaskaran and now defunct JJ TV. 

Sasikala must read the charges personally and sign on the charge sheet in person. It is not known, how the procedure would be followed if she can appear through video conference facility, he said. 

Five cases were registered against Sasikala, Bhaskaran and JJ TV by the Enforcement Directorate in 1995 for making payments in US and Singapore dollars to foreign firms for hiring transponders, equipment and uplink facilities for JJ TV. 

Meanwhile, the ACMM (EO-II), S Malarmathy has adjourned hearing on a FERA case registered against AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran to May 10. When the matter came up for hearing, Dinakaran’s counsel submitted that his relative Mahadevan died recently and since Dinakaran must attend funeral rites in his native place, he sought adjournment of the hearing.