Jaya’s PSO deposes before panel

Assistant Superintendent of Police Veeraperumal, who served as one of the personal security officers (PSO) of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday deposed before the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry probing her death. He did not disclose to mediapersons what he had told the Commission.

However, Aravindan, a member of the legal team of Jayalalithaa’s jailed aide V.K. Sasikala, claimed that the officer had told the Commission that he had seen and interacted with the former Chief Minister when she was hospitalised. According to him, the PSO testified that he had seen Jayalalithaa within the first few days of her hospitalisation, when she was taken by an elevator for a scan at the Apollo Hospitals. “The PSO also said that Jayalalithaa had told him that she would get better and return home soon,” Mr. Aravindan said.

Mr. Veeraperumal’s statement was in consonance with the affidavit filed by Sasikala. However, he did not corroborate Sasikala’s claim that Ministers – including incumbent Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam – had witnessed this interaction.

Sasikala’s lawyer said that Mr. Veeraperumal had told the Commission that various Ministers were present nearby at the time of the interaction and that he was not aware if they had “witnessed” the conversation.