In a significant development, the Madras High Court on Friday granted permission to three accused in the infamous Kodanad Estate heist-murder case to summon former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deposed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala as defense witnesses. The court’s decision, delivered by Justice P Velmurugan, overturns a previous trial court’s ruling which had denied the request to examine these high-profile figures.
The petition, filed by accused D Deepu, M S Satheesan, and A Santhosh Samy, challenged the trial court’s 2021 decision which allowed the examination of only Natarajan, the estate manager, while rejecting the summoning of Palaniswami and others. The accused argue that the testimony of Palaniswami and Sasikala is crucial for uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the heist at the Kodanad estate, which was owned by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Justice Velmurugan noted the peculiar chain of events following the crime, including the death of an accused five days post-incident, another’s accident, and a related suicide, highlighting the complex nature of the case. He stated, “The petitioners have reasonable grounds to examine Mr. Edappadi K Palaniswami, who likely accompanied Jayalalithaa during her visits to Kodanad and might provide insights into the layout and events at the estate.”
The court also acknowledged the significant role Sasikala might have played, given her close association with the estate and its late owner. The judge deemed the request to examine Sasikala and her relatives, Elavarasi and V N Sudhakaran, as not vexatious but potentially enlightening for the defense.
The 2017 heist at Kodanad, which resulted in the death of a security guard just months after Jayalalithaa’s passing, has been shrouded in mystery and controversy, drawing significant media attention and public intrigue. The permission to call such prominent figures as witnesses marks a pivotal moment in the case, potentially impacting the trajectory of the trial.
