Tamil Nadu

Jayalalithaa seeks officials’ panel to look after security

CHENNAI: Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who has moved the Madras High Court to direct authorities to extend her Z plus category security, has said the court could constitute a panel of senior IAS and IPS officers to look after the security arrangements.

In a reply to the counter-affidavit of the Government, she said: “The court may be pleased to formulate a panel wherein retired police officers at the level of the Director-General of Police may be appointed. The names may be drawn from my side as well as from the Government side.”

She further said that the panel could comprise a “retired DGP with a choice of my nominee, a retired IAS officer with a choice of my nominee, a senior IAS/police officer representing the Government so as to look after the personal security arrangements on a par with the Z Plus category…”

Reiterating her charge that ever since Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi assumed office her security “had been thrown to the winds,” she said: “If the respondents provide the Ambassador bullet-proof car, I am ready to accept the same…I have not refused to accept the Ambassador bullet-proof car. The respondents may be directed to provide the Ambassador bullet-proof vehicle immediately for my safety.”

Justice K. Suguna, who is hearing the matter, has adjourned it to November 6 for further proceedings.

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