Sasikala’s version corroborated by witnesses, claims counsel

”During the cross-examination, Dr Archana of Apollo Hospitals verified that the audio recording of Jayalalithaa submitted by Dr Sivakumar was authentic,” he said.

“Another Apollo doctor Snehashri, who responded to the calls from Poes Garden on the night of September 22, 2016, stated that Jayalalithaa was not unconscious but dazed during her examination at her house and on the way to the hospital,” Pandian said.

He said that Dr Snehashri had revealed that Sasikala was attempting to reassure Jayalalithaa. “There are no discrepancies between her account and that of Sasikala’s as stated in the 55-page affidavit submitted to the commission,” Pandian said, adding that the depositions are sufficient evidence to exonerate Sasikala of any wrongdoings. He said the commission had issued an order to not release the video and audio clips of Jayalalithaa presented before the commission and in possession with the Sasikala camp.

Pandian also expressed confidence that summons would be issued to Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar. “I was assured by the commission at the start of the probe that Tughlak magazine editor S Gurumurthy, O Panneerselvam and C Vijaya Baskar would be called upon to testify. I will exercise the option available by law to summon these individuals if the commission fails to do 

so,” he said. 

Pandian further said that the issue of lost CCTV footage would be raised with Apollo Hospitals COO Subbiah Viswanathan, who is due to appear before the commission for a cross-examination today.