Stalin demands CBI probe into Jaya’s death

CHENNAI: With senior minister ‘Dindigul’ C Sreenivaasan deepening the mystery surrounding the death of chief minister J Jayalalithaa, opposition parties have demanded a high-level probe and prosecution of the ministers concerned who failed to discharge their constitutional obligations by not revealing the truth.

DMK working president M K Stalin on Sunday urged the Centre to order a CBI probe into the death of Jayalalithaa.  She died at the Apollo Hospitals here on December 5, 2016 after prolonged treatment. “Given the fact that the Centre had helped in providing treatment, it has the responsibility to undo the mysterious knots in connection with her death. So, it must order a CBI probe immediately,” he said in a statement.

He added that the truth would never be brought to the fore through the inquiry commission proposed to be set up by the State government. Moreover, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who announced the setting up of an inquiry commission, and the Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam were acting in collusion to hush up the case, he alleged. He recalled that leaders of AIADMK had criticised when his father and DMK president M Karunanidhi demanded releasing a photo of the late Chief Minister, while undergoing treatment, to clear the doubts in people’s minds. “But, now they are seeking release of photos and videos of the treatment provided to her,” he said.

Taking a serious view of the issue, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president S Thirunavukkarasar demanded an inquiry commission by a retired High Court judge to go into the death immediately.

However, State secretary of CPI (Marxist) G Ramakrishnan sought an inquiry by a sitting judge of the High Court. The probe must be monitored by the court as Central ministers, Governor, State ministers and government officials need to be questioned, he said.

Stating that the revelations of ‘Dindigul’ C Sreenivaasan had confirmed suspicions on the death of Jayalalithaa, PMK founder S Ramadoss said not only Sreenivaasan, but also other ministers, including the then chief minister O Panneerselvam, had lied about Jayalalithaa’s health condition. “These ministers must be prosecuted and sacked as they had failed to discharge their responsibilities,” he argued.

‘Probe panel to be constituted soon’

Chennai: Even as the Information and Public Relations Minister ‘Kadambur’ Raju said the inquiry commission to probe former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s death, as announced by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, would be constituted soon, the T T V faction said it was ready for any kind of probe. “There are procedures related to setting up of the inquiry commission. Steps are being taken to constitute it soon,” said Raju at Kovilpatti on Sunday.

His statement came close on the heels of forest minister ‘Dindigul’ C Sreenivaasan revealing that senior AIADMK leaders lied about Jayalalithaa’s health conditions. V Pugazhendi, a prominent supporter of Dhinakaran, appeared unfazed. “They only said they would set up an inquiry commission but they have not appointed the judge so far. Did we object?” he asked while talking to reporters at Coorg where the rebel legislators are holed up.