CHENNAI: An Economic Offences Court here today framed charges against AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, who is now lodged in jail in Bengaluru, in connection with a FERA violation case.
She appeared before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (Economic Offence-I) A Zakir Hussain through video conferencing from the Parapanna Agraharam jail in Bengaluru where she has been lodged ever since her conviction in February in the disproportionate assets case.
The case relates to alleged violations in transactions including remittances for a transponder and uplinking charges for the erstwhile JJ TV channel.
It was alleged by the prosecution that the payments were illegally routed to the US-based Rimsat through firms having network in the Philippines and Singapore.
Prosecution was launched against Sasikala, her relative V Bhaskaran and J J TV (now defunct) by the Enforcement Directorate in 1995 and 1996 on charges of violating FERA.
The court had in May allowed Sasikala to appear before it through video conferencing from prison.
On February 15, Sasikala was sent to jail after she surrendered before a trial court at Bengaluru, a day after the Supreme Court restored her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has issued a series of instructions to Kaziranga National Park authority, Golaghat and Nagaon district administrations to ensure safety and security to the animals in the Park during the monsoon season.
Sonowal has directed the Park authorities as well as Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the two districts to ensure safety of the animals during the flood season.
Sonowal also reviewed the progress of construction of the highlands in the Park and the anti-poaching measures that the Park authority have taken up so far and asked the Kaziranga National Park management to ensure fool-proof measures for the supply of animal food and medicines required during the flood season.
He also advocated for a synergistic approach among the park authority, district administrations and villagers living along the fringe area of the rhino habitat to create a shield against poachers who might sneak into the Park area taking advantage of surging waters.