The Madras High Court has granted permission to examine former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and VK Sasikala, a close aide to the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, as defense witnesses in the investigation of heist-cum-murder case at Jayalalithaa’s Kodanad estate in the Nilgiris district.
The case, which has been shrouded in mystery since the night of April 23, 2017, involved a break-in at the estate, where a security guard was murdered and valuables were allegedly stolen. The estate, once a summer retreat for Jayalalithaa, became the focal point of this sensational crime just months after her death.
Justice P. Velmurugan allowed the plea from three accused individuals, D. Deepu, M.S. Satheesan, and A. Santhosh Samy, who sought to summon and examine Mr. Palaniswami, Ms. Sasikala, and several others as defense witnesses. This move overturns a previous decision by the Nilgiris district sessions court, which had rejected their plea to examine these key figures.
The court’s rationale for this decision included the fact that Mr. Palaniswami is no longer the Chief Minister, thus removing the earlier concerns about summoning a sitting chief minister. Justice Velmurugan emphasized the importance of examining these individuals to ensure a fair trial, highlighting the need to uncover the truth behind the complex web of events associated with the case.
The Kodanad case has been a subject of intense political speculation and public interest, especially with allegations suggesting political motives behind the crime. The mention of prominent political figures like EPS and Sasikala has only intensified the scrutiny on this case, with many seeing this judicial move as a step towards transparency and justice.