Jayalalithaa didn’t even look at former Guv, Sivakumar tells probe panel

This is the third time Dr Sivakumar has appeared before the commission following his earlier depositions on January 8 and March 14. Sivakumar was the deceased former Chief Minister’s personal doctor and is said to have rushed to Poes Garden on the evening of September 22 when Jayalalithaa fell ill and called the ambulance for her subsequent hospitalisation.

The deposition lasted for more than two hours during when Sivakumar is said to have informed the enquiry commission that when then Governor Vidyasagar Rao visited Jayalalithaa, the former had seen her from behind a glass door. She had been receiving physiotherapy and did not look in his direction. This was in contradiction to what was said to have been submitted by Sasikala in her affidavit and former Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s book where it was stated that Jayalalithaa had acknowledged the Governor’s presence and waved at him. 

Other details with regard to the deposition, which were revealed through sources, indicated that Dr Sivakumar was asked about the treatment and medication that Jayalalithaa was under, prior to being hospitalised at Apollo. He was also asked about visitors to the former Chief Minister to which Dr Sivakumar had responded that only Sasikala had direct access to the former Chief Minister and was in close proximity to her. No ministers other than Nilofer Kafeel had met Jayalalithaa up close during her stay in the hospital. 

Sivakumar had also apparently said that the former CM was conscious when she was brought to Apollo Hospitals, but the consequent hospital report said that was she unconscious upon arrival. Dr Sivakumar is expected to be cross-examined by Sasikala’s counsel Raja Senthurpandian. Sasikala’s brother Dhivakaran is due to appear before the commission on May 3. 

The commission has been enquiring with politicians, bureaucrats, relatives of Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s close aide, and workers who were associated with her, about the former CM’s death.