Panel will probe Jaya death, says Panneerselvam

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday announced that he would order an inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge into the treatment and subsequent death of his mentor and late AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa. 

“I feel it is the duty of the government to pay heed to the request of the people on their concerns about the treatment provided to Amma. I assure you that an inquiry will set up under the aegis of a Supreme Court judge (to probe the treatment and subsequent death) of Amma,” Mr Panneerselvam told reporters at his official residence on the Greenways Road here.

His comments came just two days after British consultant intensivist Dr Richard Beale, who led the team of doctors who attended on the late chief minister at Apollo Hospitals, clarified that she indeed died of heart attack and there was no conspiracy in her death. 

Though Mr Panneerselvam clarified that “personally, I have no doubts about her treatment and death, but he is under the obligation to listen to people’s views and clear their doubts.”  

“I will have to clear the doubts of the people and I am duty bound to do that,” Mr Panneerselvam said. 

Though Mr Panneerselvam promised an inquiry, he did not elaborate on the modalities of the commission. But, Opposition Leader and DMK Working President MK Stalin quickly welcomed the decision and lauded Mr Panneerselvam.

“We have been demanding such an inquiry for a very long time and we are happy that the chief minister has finally conceded. Though it has come late, I still welcome it. The inquiry will put an end to several doubts expressed (about Jayalalithaa’s) death,” Mr Stalin said.

At the press conference with Mr Panneerselvam, former Assembly Speaker P H Pandian reiterated his allegation that late Jayalalithaa was “given wrong medicines.”