Jayalalithaa’s death: 600-page final report handed over to Stalin

CHENNAI: Retired Madras High Court judge A Arumugasamy, who headed the one man Commission of Inquiry that probed the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, on Saturday, submitted his three-volume report to Chief Minister MK Stalin. Arumugasamy also disclosed that there was nothing suspicious in (circumstances under which) how Jayalalithaa was brought to the hospital.

Talking to mediapersons after submitting the 608-page report in Tamil (500 pages in English) to the Chief Minister at the Secretariat, Arumugasamy said that he initially thought visiting her bungalow would help prepare a full fledged report.

Asked about not visiting Jayalalithaa’s Poe’s Garden residence, he said, “Thought it might fulfil the inquiry. But, things changed. We examined what all could be avoided. I did not see any significance. I can only visit her house.” A reticent Arumugasamy, however, said, “She was brought to the hospital from there (House). There was nothing suspicious in it. So, it (visiting Poe’s Garden) was not necessary.”

Did not insist on Sasikala’s personal appearance

On dispensing with Sasikala’s personal appearance, the retired judge elaborated, “I didn’t want to compel her. We gave her an opportunity and served summons. When she stated in writing that she did not want to appear (in person), it was not appropriate for the court to insist. I did not want to challenge her rights. It could be challenged after examining all witnesses. Then you (media) would say the commission has just served summons to start the inquiry. Hence, I wound up. She stated that she does not want to turn up in person. I took it in writing and left it as it is.”

Sasikala did not answer what was needed

Asked if V K Sasikala’s affidavit answered his queries, he said, “If I disclose, it will not be appropriate. But, generally, what we need, they will not answer. Won’t they?”

While the retired judge’s statement on the rushing of Jayalalithaa to the hospital has debunked theories or rather rumours about the circumstances leading to her hospitalization, he has also sustained the suspense by adding that VK Sasikala did not provide needed answers. As many as 154 witnesses, including two petitioners, were examined by the commission and their deposition incorporated in the three-volume report.