Sasikala, the former aide of former Tamil Nadu chief-minister J. Jayalalithaa and who is also the main accused in the misappropriation of assets scam, was grilled for eight hours by Income Tax authorities at her Parappana Agrahara prison cell in Bangalore yesterday.

Grilling of Sasikala by IT sleuths follow large-scale raids conducted at many places and premises owned by Sasikala, her close friends and relatives in November last year. More than 60 ‘letter-head’ companies were unearthed besides 150 bank accounts through which various (illegal) transactions had taken place for many years.

Sasikala could hardly face the barrage of questions put up to her by IT sleuths on her amassing properties worth Rs.3,000-crores. A bewildered looking Sasikala was given just half-an-hour’s time during afternoon to have lunch as the interrogtion lasted either side of lunch for a total of more than eight hours.

Sasikala mostly replied yes or no but appeared confused, bemused and scared, inside sources said on condition of anonymity.