Jayalalithaa death probe: No decision yet on panel report, says TN govt

The Tamil Nadu government confirmed through a Right to Information (RTI) response that it has not yet made a final decision on the recommendations in the Justice A Arumughasamy Commission report on the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The disclosure has brought renewed attention to the long-pending probe, which remains unresolved nearly 10 years after Jayalalithaa’s death and nearly four years after the Commission submitted its final report.

Judicial inquiry

Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai on September 22, 2016, following a sudden illness. She remained under treatment for over two months and died on December 5. Her death triggered widespread speculation and demands for a thorough judicial inquiry into the circumstances.

Also read: Jayalalithaa's death: Panel says Sasikala, doctor, others at fault

In response to public pressure, the then AIADMK government constituted a one-man commission headed by retired Madras High Court judge Justice A Arumughasamy to investigate the matter. After several years of hearings and evidence collection, the commission submitted its final report to the state government on August 27, 2022. By then, the DMK had formed the government in Tamil Nadu.

Reports indicate the commission recommended further investigation into the roles of several individuals, including AIADMK rebel VK Sasikala, former Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar, and former Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan.

‘Probe still underway’

Social activist Ramakrishnan filed an RTI application seeking details of the action taken by the government on the Commission’s recommendations. In its reply, the Public Department stated that the Health and Family Welfare Department, officials in the Chief Secretariat, and police authorities are currently examining follow-up action on the report.

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The department further said it cannot disclose information relating to case files, names of involved officers, details of any advisory committees, or internal departmental notes. It also clarified that it has received no information regarding decisions taken in Cabinet meetings on this matter.

Crucially, the government stated that because the investigation procedures are still ongoing, no final decision has been reached.

RTI application

Reacting to the RTI reply, Ramakrishnan urged the incumbent Joseph Vijay government to publicly disclose the current status of action taken on the Commission’s recommendations and explain the reasons for the prolonged delay in concluding.

He emphasised that the people of Tamil Nadu have a right to know the government’s position on a matter that has remained politically sensitive for nearly a decade.

Hospital expenses details

The AIADMK paid around Rs 6.85 crore to Apollo Hospitals for Jayalalithaa's treatment. According to documents submitted before the Arumughaswamy Commission, the hospital raised a final bill of around Rs 6.86 crore. Of this, the AIADMK paid Rs 6 crore by cheque on June 15, 2017. In October 2016, the hospital had received about Rs 41 lakh.

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The detailed bill included healthcare services worth nearly Rs 1.92 crore, professional charges of around Rs 2.21 crore (including fees for foreign specialists), and over Rs 2.72 crore towards room rent, food, beverages, and other services. Reports indicated that a balance of Rs 44 - 45 lakh remained unpaid even as late as December 2018.

The high cost, particularly for food and beverages (over Rs 1.17 crore), drew public attention and scrutiny.

Fresh questions emerge

The RTI response has triggered fresh discussion in political circles and among the public regarding the handling of the Jayalalithaa death investigation, one of the most closely watched and contentious probes in recent Tamil Nadu political history.

With the government yet to take a final call on the Commission’s recommendations, questions remain over the timeline and the process being followed.