TN one man panel commences hearing in Jaya death probe

The Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry,constituted by the Tamil Nadu government to go into the circumstances leading to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's death, commenced its hearing here today.
Madurai based DMK functionary P Saravanan, who recently submitted his petition, including an affidavit, deposed before the Commission.
Speaking to reporters outside the commission's office here, the DMK functionary said said he brought to the panel's notice alleged discrepancies in press releases and the final discharge summary of the hospital where Jayalalithaa received treatment.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22 last year and passed away there on December 5, 2016.

Saravanan said he would submit further documents in respect of Jayalalithaa's signature and her thumb impression with the Commission tomorrow.
The DMK functionary, who unsuccessfully contested the Tiruparankundram bypoll in November 2016, had petitioned the Madras High Court against the victory of AIADMK candidate A K Bose.

He had questioned the Election Commission over its acceptance of the left thumb impression of Jayalalithaa on documents authenticating the nomination of the AIADMK nominee.
In September 2017, the Tamil Nadu government constituted the panel under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
The panel's terms of reference was to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa (on September 22, 2016), and treatment provided till her demise on December five last year.

The Commission had invited all those having "personal knowledge and direct acquaintance" in the matter to furnish information to it till today.
Following Jayalalithaa's death, suspicion on the circumstances leading to her demise was raised by several persons, including the present Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his followers.
Then a rebel party leader,Panneerselvam and his followers had demanded a probe into her death, either a judicial inquiry or a CBI probe.
After the unification of the factions led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam, the government notified constituting the panel.
The probe was a key precondition put forth by the Panneerselvam panel for merger.

DMK President M K Stalin had batted for a CBI probe and also raised the issue during campaigning for the RK Nagar bypoll in April, which was subsequently cancelled.
According to Commission sources, so far approximately 70 petitions and 15 affidavits have been received in respect of Jayalalithaa's death, which were being looked into.
Petitions were received today as well, they said, adding an advocate, R Krishnamurthy submitted an affidavit seeking examination of 30 persons on oath including jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, her husband M Natarajan, and Prathap C Reddy of Apollo Hospital.
Depositions are likely to be scheduled for tomorrow as well, the Commission sources added.