Jaya death probe panel term extended by 4 months

Chennai

The commission’s term was to end on October 24, but the government has now approved its request for more time.

The commission had cited the pending testimonies of important stakeholders as the reason for its request. The final report is expected to be submitted by the commission on February 24, 2019.

Meanwhile, former Chief Secretary Rama Mohana Rao appeared before the commission for the third time on Wednesday. He is one of the key figures in the probe from the time of Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation.

Speaking to mediapersons, Rao contradicted the version provided by the affidavit of Apollo Hospitals regarding the health bulletins issued during Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation.

While the hospital stated that all bulletins were authored and amended by the Chief Secretary and Health Secretary based on the inputs from the doctors and signed off by Apollo Hospitals COO only after their approval, Rao vehemently denied having any role in the dissemination of the bulletins.

On taking Jayalalithaa abroad for treatment, he refused to discuss the specifics of the discussion held in cabinet meetings. He stated that the idea was mooted in the meetings but there was no concrete push for action from anyone in the government.

Rao also responded in the affirmative when questioned whether he had sent regular updates to the office of the Governor and intimated the President on Jayalalithaa’s health status.