Jaya death probe: Apollo seeks protection for submitted documents

Prior to Radhakrishnan’s appearance, Jayalalithaa’s personal security Perumalsamy and Dr Sudhakaranwere cross-examined by Sasikala’s counsel. Dr Radhakrishnan’s cross-examination was carried out by Sasikala’s counsel and lawyers of Apollo Hospitals.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Radhakrishnan said that Jayalalithaa was not taken abroad for treatment as she did not desire to leave the country. He said that the doctors from AIIMS examined her on October 5 and advised against shifting her as her condition was poor. Even after her recovery over the next month the then-chief minister did not desire to go abroad. 

Asked about the initial press release of Apollo Hospitals that stated that Jayalalithaa had been admitted due to dehydration, Radhakrishnan said that the release was issued so at the behest of the chief minister, who did not want to spread panic about her health condition among the people.

On the various aspects of the treatment such as the angio surgery that was not carried out, Radhakrishnan said that the doctors treating her took the call at various stages after inputs from experts such as the doctors from AIIMS and Dr Richard Beale.

He said that while doctors may have differing opinions on treatment, there was a broad consensus on the procedures carried out and that a majority of the doctors consulted were in agreement.

He added that even on December 3, doctors from AIIMS had examined the Chief Minister and advised against carrying out any procedure as it was not required. 

Dr Radhakrishnan said that the Commission, Sasikala’s counsel and lawyers of Apollo Hospitals have yet to complete their enquiry and that he is to appear again on January 3, 2019. 

Meanwhile, Apollo Hospitals has sought greater protection for the cache of documents handed to the Commission. The request comes on the back of the leak of Jayalalithaa’s hospital bill for her 75 day stay that amounted to close to Rs 7 crore. The hospital had come under scrutiny for the bill as some items such as the bill for food adding up to Rs 1.17 crore was considered exorbitant.