Jayalalithaa death case: Apollo asked to submit affidavit

Speaking to the media after the cross-examination of doctors and nurses from Apollo Hospitals, COO Subbiah Viswanathan and AIADMK MLA Manoj Pandian, VK Sasikala’s counsel Raja Senthoor Pandian said it is apparent that Manoj Pandian’s statements that blame Sasikala for the death of Jayalalithaa were not based on evidence. Raja Senthoor Pandian said Manoj Pandian’s reasoning came undone during the cross-examination as he was unable to back any claim he had made regarding the death of Jayalalithaa and admitted they were speculative. Manoj Pandian had said there were many contradictions in the testimonies provided so far and raised doubts regarding the absent CCTV footage and why no other leader was allowed to meet Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation.

Raja Senthoor Pandian added that while Apollo Hospitals has been asked to submit an affidavit on the CCTV footage, the CCTV cameras at Poes Garden were operational and no claims have been made regarding the loss of that footage. He said the property has been under the control of the IT department and the government since Sasikala’s arrest and the commission was free to look into the footage at the residence of the former CM.

He also reiterated that for a fair enquiry, the commission must send summons to Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Health Minister Vijaya Baskar and Health Secretary Radhakrishnan. He also raised the issue of a staffer in the commission, Komala, being the wife of AIADMK member Babu.