Dhivakaran called to depose before Jayalalithaa death probe panel on May 3

Former officer on special duty Shanta Sheela Nair and Manager of the Indian Overseas Bank Stella Maris College branch Leela Selvakumari deposed before the enquiry commission on Monday. Sasikala’s aide Karthikeyan was subject to cross-examination by her counsel Raja Senthoor Pandian. Speaking after his cross-examination, Karthikeyan said that he had answered questions to the best of his knowledge on the subject of functionaries who were suspended from the AIADMK between 2014-2016. Karthikeyan has been asked to appear again on May 12. 

Raja Senthoor Pandian said that their camp has made a submission detailing all those who have faced action by Jayalalithaa between the aforementioned years. However, he did not reveal the relevance of this information but said that it pertained to the affidavit submitted by Sasikala. Raja Senthoor Pandian added that he has asked the commission to allow cross-examination of Jayalalithaa’s drivers and four IPS officers. 

Former minister Anoor Jagadeesan of the AIADMK also appeared before the commission on his own accord and submitted his doubts and queries before it. He said that no one was allowed to meet Jayalalithaa at the hospital and added that she had not suffered any ailment serious enough to render her suddenly unconscious. He urged the commission to look into the reason behind her hospitalisation and why no one from the party was permitted to visit her. 

The commission also said that a medical committee to sift through the documents submitted by Apollo Hospitals regarding the treatment provided to Jayalalithaa will be constituted at the earliest. 

Six others, who were due to appear for cross-examination on Monday, had requested the commission for a change of date. Dr Sivakumar is set to appear before the commission on May 2.