`Hurt' AIADMK says will deal with HC remarks legally

CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: Hours after the Madras high court raised questions about the circumstances leading to the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the ruling AIADMK said it would deal with the matter legally.

“The judge can pose questions. We live in a democracy.But, words like he may order exhumation of the body have hurt the cadre. The matter is in court and it will be dealt with legally (by the state government),“ AIADMK spokesperson C R Saraswathy said. She wondered if it was possible to hush up matters such as health condition of a top leader, especially when she was treated by a panel of doctors.

Jayalalithaa, admitted to Apollo Hospitals, was treated by specialists from AIIMS, Dr

Richard Beale

from London, and physiotherapists from Singapore, Saraswathy said, recalling the medical bulletins put out by the hospital periodically.

Union information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu said there was no reason to disbelieve doctors on the matter. “The matter is sub judice and (I) should not make a comment on that. But I don't have reasons to disbelieve the cause (of death) given by the doctor,“ Naidu told mediapersons in New Delhi.

PMK leader S Ramadoss said there was a need to find out answers for the mysteries shrouding the death of former CM.

“It is for the state government to explain to the court and to the people of the state. Leave alone the explanation, a CBI investigation should be ordered to bring out the truth,“ the PMK leader said. Ramadoss said there was no need to raise queries about the death if Jayalalithaa was an individual or party leader, but she was chief minister and hospitalized when she passed away.

DMDK leader Vijayakanth said doubts were being raised due to access being denied to the ward where Jayalalithaa was being treated from the beginning of hospitalization. The CCTV footage of the hospital should be handed over to the court for further clarity, he said.