Jayalalithaa’s death to be probed: 5 allegations of ‘mysterious circumstances’

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami announced on Thursday an inquiry into Jayalalithaa’s death, adding that the late chief minister’s Poes Garden house will be turned into a memorial.

With the announcement, Palaniswami met the main demands of former CM O Panneerselvam for two AIADMK factions to merge.

Jayalalithaa died in Apollo hospital on December 5 last year after prolonged illness. Ever since, there have been hints at foul play in the death pointing fingers at VK Sasikala, who was a close aide of the late CM and who lived with Jayalalithaa.

After Jayalalithaa’s death, then caretaker chief minister Panneerselvam had ordered a probe, a move aimed at undermining Sasikala, who sacked him as party treasurer for questioning her planned elevation to the state’s top job.

Paneerselvam said that during the 75 days of Jayalalithaa’s treatment, he visited Apollo hospitals every day, but was not allowed to see the then chief minister.

Former Tamil Nadu assembly Speaker PH Pandian had in February raised doubts over the circumstances surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death, terming them mysterious, and called for an investigation.

Here are five things the veteran politician said:

1) ‘Jaya was pushed’

Pandian alleged Jayalalithaa was pushed and fell over on September 22 after an argument with someone at her residence at Poes Garden in Chennai. The late leader, who Pandian claimed was depressed, was taken to Apollo Hospital to cover it up.

2) ‘Her death was unnatural’

While doctors, including London-based specialist Dr Richard Beale, said Jayalalithaa had died after a sudden cardiac arrest, Pandian claimed that the late leader’s death was unnatural, and hinted at the possibility of poisoning. The AIADMK leader also called for an investigation into her death as well as a probe into all the people present at Poes Garden on September 22.

3) Sketchy treatment details

Pandian said none of the AIADMK leaders knew about Jayalalithaa’s health condition and what medical treatment she was receiving throughout her 75-day hospitalisation. The hospital had told the media that a team, including Sasikala and AIADMK leader Thambidurai, were given a daily briefing about the treatment.

4) ‘Sasikala did not cry’

When AIADMK leaders entered Apollo Hospital on December 5, after learning that Jayalalithaa had suffered a cardiac arrest, Pandian alleged that neither Sasikala nor her family seemed affected by the 68-year-old’s death.

5) ‘Jaya didn’t want Sasikala to be CM’

Manoj Pandian, the MLA’s son, said the late leader told him that she did not want Sasikala to be chief minister of Tamil Nadu.