‘Successor’s swearing-in fixed before Jaya’s death’

The IAS officer was sent summons by the Justice A Arumughaswamy enquiry commission probing into the former CM’s death, considering that he had accompanied Rao during his visit to Apollo Hospitals during the hospitalisation of the AIADMK supremo.

Appearing before the commission on Tuesday at the Kalas Mahal in Chennai, the officer was questioned about the discrepancy in the Governor’s account when he saw Jayalalithaa. 

He is said to have told the enquiry commission that arrangements for the swearing-in of a new Chief Minister were made on the evening of December 5, 2016, although news of Jayalalithaa’s passing was only announced later that night.

Ram Chand Meena is also said to have told the commission that the Governor was made aware of the assessment of Jayalalithaa’s health by UK expert Dr Richard Beale. Beale is said to have given a prognosis of 40 per cent survival for the ailing Chief Minister. 

Meanwhile, appearing before the commission on Wednesday, Apollo Hospitals head physiotherapist Dr Raj Prasanna said Jayalalithaa was placed on the ventilator as and when necessary from October 7, 2016. He also informed the commission that she underwent around 120 physiotherapy sessions over the course of her hospitalisation. 

The commission is set to submit its final report on October 24 this year. Over 80 individuals have deposed before the one-man commission thus far.