Congress demands CBI probe into Sasikala’s ‘illegal’ assets purchases

Congress on Wednesday demanded a detailed CBI probe into the allegation that VK Sasikala, the close aide of the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa, has transacted huge sums of money through illegal means. It termed the transactions as ‘huge scam.’

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president KS Alagiri, in a statement, also demanded that a retired Supreme Court Judge should be appointed to monitor the CBI probe against Sasikala.

Stating that Income Tax Department authorities have seized the list of the illegal purchase of assets to the tune of Rs 1,674.50 crore from Sasikala’s relative, the Congress leader said, “this only a small portion that the I-T have raided.” “A thorough enquiry should also be made against those involved in helping her (Sasikala) to convert the demonetised money into investments,” he said adding “this ishuge scam.”

Alleging that no one could deny that the hands of the present AIADMK regime will also be there in that scam, Alagiri said, “this should also be investigated in detail.” Claiming that Sasikala was convicted in the Disproportionate Asset case and with the I-T sleuths finding about a Rs 2,000 crore scam, the Congress leader wondered how this much amount have come to Sasikala. “No one could deny that Sasikala was the beneficiary from the scam during the then AIADMK government,” he added.

Stating that there might not be any connection between the present AIADMK regime and Sasikala, Alagiri alleged, “no one could refuse that there was strong connection between the current AIADMK rule, under ‘Amma’s’ name and then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.”

Listing out the details of the reports about Sasikala’s illegal purchase of assets across the state, the Congress leader demanded the Centre and the state to conduct a detailed CBI inquiry into the scam involving Sasikala and others with immediate effect.