I didn’t spend for my foster son’s wedding: J Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on Tuesday submitted before a special court in Parappana Agrahara central jail here that she did not spend for the marriage of her estranged foster son V Sudhakaran.

The court questioned Jayalalithaa over the matter after the prosecution produced evidence to substantiate the claim that she spent Rs5.99 crore on the marriage. She stated that the bride’s family bore the expenditure.

The court recorded her statement in response to 597 questions on Tuesday. With this, Jayalalithaa completed answering 1,147 questions. The remaining 192 questions will be answered on Wednesday. Answers to most of the questions asked on Tuesday were “I was not aware” or “I have no knowledge”. Special public prosecutor Dr BV Acharya said that questioning will be completed by Wednesday afternoon.

Jayalalithaa pleaded ignorance about bank accounts related to firms that were allegedly in partnership with her. She, however, admitted to figures regarding her personal accounts.

Jayalalithaa’s friend Sasikala Natarajan and Sasikala’s relatives Sudhakaran were also present in court. Ilavarasi was absent. Jayalalithaa reached the city by a special charted flight around 10am.

Over 20 ministers in her cabinet and Chennai’s mayor were also present in court.