Sasikala's statement to be recorded on November 20

In accordance with the Supreme Court's October 18 order on a clarification petition filed by Sasikala, Special Judge Somaraju granted her 21 working days to inspect all unmarked documents till November 17 and adjourned the matter to November 20 for further recording of her statement.

According to the apex court order, Sasikala and two other co-accused V Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi are entitled to inspect all the unmarked and unedited documents on record.

Noting that Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi had also filed memos to peruse all unmarked documents, the Judge said he was granting time to all the three upto November 17.

Earlier, all the four accused, including Jayalalithaa, filed an application seeking exemption from personal appearance which was taken on record.

The court had on October 8 permitted the three to inspect only the unmarked documents mentioned and had given 21 days, including general holidays, to inspect the documents.

Sasikala had last made her statement on May 2. Till then she had answered 632 questions framed by the Judge and had given a clean chit to Jayalalithaa, who had made her depositions last year.

Since May, recording of Sasikala's statement was being adjourned due to various reasons, including her plea for inspecting the documents which she claims are 'in her favour'.

The case filed during the DMK rule relates to alleged accumulation of about Rs 66 crore worth assets said to be disproportionate to Jayalalithaa's known sources of income during 1991-96 when she was the chief minister.

The case was transferred to Bangalore by the Supreme Court on a petition by DMK.