FERA case: ED wants Sasi’s personal appearance

Sasikala, now lodged in a Bengaluru jail after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case, had offered to attend the court proceedings via video conference. 

A memo to this effect was filed on her behalf before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (Economic Offences-I) at Egmore by her counsel in the first week of April citing health and security issues. 

After taking the submission on record, the judge had asked the Enforcement Directorate to file its counter-affidavit. However, reports are in that the ED is not keen on holding the trial through video conferencing and are insisting that she should appear in person and face trial.

The case relates to alleged violations in transactions including remittances for a transponder and up-linking charges for the erstwhile J J TV channel. 

It was alleged that the payments were illegally routed to the US-based Rimsat through firms having network in Philippines and Singapore. The case, registered over two decades ago, was revived recently with the HC directing Sasikala and other co-accused to face trial.