Tamil Nadu govt extends tenure of Jayalalithaa panel for fourth time

CHENNAI: The state government has extended the tenure of the Justice A. Arumughasamy Commission, which is probing the circumstances leading to the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Earlier, it had sought to extend its tenure by another four months. Based on the commission’s request, the government has extended the tenure for the fourth time. The panel has summoned Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam to appear before the Commission on February 28.

On September 25, 2017, the state government had appointed Justice A Arumugasamy as the one-man commission of inquiry to look into the circumstances leading to Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation and death following prolonged treatment. The government asked the commission to complete the probe in three months.

Jayalalithaa, who was admitted at the Apollo Hospital, Chennai, for fever and dehydration on September 22, 2016, died in the hospital on December 5, 2016. Originally, the commission was asked to complete the probe in three months. However, on a request from the commission, the state government had extended its tenure thrice. The Commission was expected to file a report to the government before February 24.

As the probe was almost nearing conclusion, the Commission faced litigation recently and was unable to file the report before February 24. Hence, it sought to extend its tenure. Considering this, the state government extended the tenure by another four months.

Meanwhile, the commission on Monday summoned Deputy CM O. Paneerselvam to appear before it on February 28. The counsel for VK Sasikala is likely to cross examine doctors from Apollo Hospital on February 27.