J Jayalalithaa died on December 5 after over two months in a Chennai hospital
Highlights
- The Madras High Court has raised doubts in Jayalalithaa's death
- DMK had questioned why no one was allowed to meet her in hospital
- She died on Dec 5 after over two months in Chennai Hospital
Weeks after
J Jayalalithaa's death in Chennai, the Madras High Court has raised doubts and asked why her body cannot be exhumed. "Media has raised a lot of doubts, personally I also have doubts in Jayalalithaa's death," said judge S Vaidyanathan on a petitioner asking for an investigation into what he calls the "mysterious death" of the former chief minister.
"When she was admitted in hospital, it was said that she was on proper diet. At least after her death now, the truth should be revealed," the judge said, asking for a complete health report.
The ruling AIADMK, which chose Ms Jayalalithaa's closest companion Sasikala Natarajan as its chief today, said it has "nothing to hide".
"Why would we tell lies for 75 days? Would a heart attack inform before happening?" said party spokesperson CR Saraswathy. "The judge must think about the feeling of the cadres. It has hurt us but we are ready to reply to this," she said.
Ms Jayalalithaa died on December 5 after over two months in Apollo Hospital. The four-time Chief Minister was
buried with state honours at Chennai's Marina Beach, near her mentor MG Ramachandran's memorial.
"Amma", as she was referred to by her adoring supporters, was never seen by people after she was admitted to hospital on September 22.
Two days before she suffered a
massive cardiac arrest that led to her death, the ruling AIADMK had said that Ms Jayalalithaa was declared "fully recovered" by a team of doctors who said she could decide when to go home.
In the weeks before that, the AIADMK had given regular updates about how their chief was recovering and responding well to treatment. Criminal cases were filed against many accused of spreading rumours about Ms Jayalalithaa's health.
In October, the party showed
Ms Jayalalitha's thumb print on election affidavits that they said she cleared from her hospital bed, which raised even more questions. Doctors said her right hand was inflamed so she was temporarily unable to sign.
The petitioner has questioned whether Ms Jayalalithaa was "conscious enough to read and understand" is a million dollar question.