CHENNAI: A one-man inquiry commission looking into the circumstances of the death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Friday summoned the actress-politician’s confidant VK Sasikala.

Sasikala, co-accused in a multi-million corruption case in which Jayalalithaa was main accused, is serving a four-year jail term in the Parappana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru.

Retired Madras High Court judge Justice Arumugasamy sent the notice to Sasikala as her nephew and dissident Anna DMK leader TTV Dinakaran revealed that a video of the late chief minister that was released on Thursday was shot by Sasikala herself.

The judge has also summoned Pratap Reddy, founder-chairman of Apollo Hospitals where Jayalalithaa was treated for 78 days before her death.

The video was released by disqualified MLA Vetrivel, a Dinakaran supporter, on a day when Jayalalithaa’s constituency RK Nagar was voting in a bypoll to fill the vacancy caused by her death. Dinakaran, who is a candidate in the bypoll, said on Friday that it was released without his knowledge. The Election Commission has charged Vetrivel for violation of poll laws. If the charges are extended to Dinakaran, he could be disqualified as candidate, whether he wins or loses.

Dinakaran met the media in a bid to wriggle out of the case. “Vetrivel (disqualified MLA) is a representative of RK Nagar and was very close to Jayalalithaa. On Dec.19, he was with us till 9pm, but he did not speak anything about this,” he said.

“On Dec.20, I came to know about it through media. I asked him why did he release it, as I had advised him to get the permission before doing so. I was disappointed when it came out. Vetrivel came on Dec.20 to ask for forgiveness, but I told him to meet Sasikala, as she is our General Secretary and apologise to her. I am not protecting Vetrivel, but I feel regretful about this.” He revealed that Sasikala shot the video.

“At the time of DMK’s campaign against Jayalalithaa’s treatment it was captured. Before her (Sasikala) departure to Bangalore jail, I got the video around February end and March first week,” Dinakaran said.

The ruling ADMK has questioned the timing of the video release. It shows a frail Jayalalithaa sitting on a bed. She has an I-V drip attached to her right hand. Her visuals could revive the memories of the leader fondly called Amma or mother. While the ruling party is worried of the video, it needs mention that they did not even put out her pictures during the campaign.

Jayalalithaa was rushed to Apollo hospital on Sept.22 last year.

She was kept away from public eye and her treatment details as well as condition was never properly revealed. She breathed her last on Dec.5.

Following her death, allegations of foul play were aired. As the ADMK factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and his deputy O. Pannerselvam reunited, Sasikala and Dinakaran were expelled. Sasikala has been accused of “hiding” Jayalalithaa from others. Forest minister Dindigul Sreenivasan even claimed that all cabinet ministers had lied to the people about hospitalisation and death of Amma.

Co-operation Minister Sellur K. Raju added to the speculation by saying that all ministers met the former chief minister when she was in hospital.

Palaniswami on Oct.30 ordered the judicial probe under pressure from the faction led by Pannerselvam. The order asked the judge to “inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa on Sept.22, 2016, and the subsequent treatment provided to her till her demise on Dec.5, 2016.” Main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam working president MK Stalin had asked the Centre to order an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation.