The Commission of Inquiry looking into the hospitalisation and death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday confirmed that it has sought a four month extension from the state government. The Justice (Retd.) A. Arumughaswamy Commission’s tenure was to end on October 24.
The Commission, formed in September 24, 2017, had its first sitting on October 27, 2017. It was given extensions in December 2017 and June 2018.
“We have written to the state government seeking four months extension and are awaiting response from them,” S. Parthasarathy, one of the lawyers for the Commission said in a video message on Sunday.
He also objected to the criticism about the Commission taking more time to complete its investigation and explained the process involved. “There is no delaying tactics. One needs to understand the situation in which the Commission is investigating,” Mr. Parthasarathy said. The current case is not a criminal case, where there would be guiding factor for the investigation, he said.
“The current case is about investigation about an incident and filing report relating to the treatment and death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. There is no basic material available in this case. Generally, when a Commission is formed, basic records and proofs would be made available. In this case that was not possible,” Mr. Parthasarathy said.
“The Commission’s task has so far progressed like finding a black cat in a dark room. But, we need to catch it. The Commission has prepared a list and investigated people,” he said.
Mr. Parthasarathy pointed out Jayalalithaa’s assistants, security guards, Tamil Nadu police officers; doctors who treated her before admission to hospital have been questioned. Apollo Hospitals and Jayalalithaa’s jailed aide V.K. Sasikala have given a list of people to be examined and they have been inquired and cross-examined.
“Examination of top level doctors who treated her is under way. Three AIIMS doctors have been examined. Three more doctors have to be questioned,” Mr. Parthasarathy said. The help of foreign doctors were sought for Jayalalithaa’s treatment and 14 other doctors need to be examined.
“So the outcome from the examination of top doctors and foreign doctors will direct the next of course of action as to whether more people need to be examined,” Mr. Parthasarathy said adding the Commission has worked meticulously and the investigation is in the final stages and there is no need for seeking extension unnecessarily.
