“No failure in providing security to Jayalalithaa”
Special Correspondent
Police patrols to detect movement of strangers
“She has not opted to use the bullet-proof car”
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government on Friday informed the Madras High Court that it never failed to provide adequate security arrangements for former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who is entitled to Z Plus category protection.
In a counter-affidavit, filed in response to a writ petition filed by Ms. Jayalalithaa seeking direction to authorities to extend her Z Plus scale protection, Home Secretary S. Malathi submitted that a Security Review Committee (SRC) meeting was scheduled for October 26, “exclusively to review the security arrangements of the former Chief Minister.”
The meeting would assess fresh threat perception along with inputs from the Chennai City Police, Special Branch CID, Q Branch CID and the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau.
As regards the October 16 incident, when a stranger allegedly entered the residence of Ms. Jayalalithaa, the counter said a “privately engaged security person” on the campus allowed him in.
The investigating officer handling the case was not allowed to meet Ms. Jayalalithaa.
Denying the allegation that security was withdrawn after Ms. Jayalalithaa demitted office, Ms. Malathi said she was being provided security by 55 police personnel.
Whenever she moved out of the city regular security schemes were being drawn and communications sent to the jurisdictional officers concerned.
The local police had employed regular police beats and patrols to watch and screen movement of strangers in the area.
Ms. Jayalalithaa had not opted to use the bullet-proof Ambassador car for her movement, the counter stated, adding that the vehicle would be provided and would remain in her convoy.
Justice K. Suguna adjourned the matter after counsel for Ms. Jayalalithaa contested the averments and said he would file a reply to the counter-affidavit.
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