Panel seeks police officers’ testimony

Justice A Arumughasamy has suggested the appointment an IPS officer to handle this part of the process. The testimonies and evidence will then be submitted to the commission. 

Three senior police personnel have thus far deposed before the commission, which is housed at Kalas Mahal. Former DGP and Chief Information Commissioner K Ramanujam appeared before the commission on February 22. Former Commissioner of Police, Chennai, JK Tripathy deposed on March 12. ADGP Amaresh Tripathy appeared before the commission on March 13. 

The enquiry commission has veered from its usual modus operandi by being discreet with the summons sent to police personnel. 

The commission has apparently also hastened its probe after granting permission to Sasikala’s counsel for cross-examination of witnesses. Meanwhile, Sasikala’s counsel Raja Senthoor Pandian has criticised the commission for not making public the contents of the affidavit submitted by his client and added that there has been no intention on their part to delay the enquiry. 

He called on the enquiry commission to look into certain individuals who were in positions of power at that time whose duty as government representatives was to keep the public and the state aware of the health of the Chief Minister. 

He reasoned that those who directly deposed before the commission have  spoken to the media about their testimonies.