CHENNAI: The Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry, probing the circumstances leading to the death of
Jayalalithaa, will decide on summoning former chief minister
Edappadi K Palaniswamy
soon. This follows filing of a petition by expelled AIADMK spokesperson V Pugazhendhi of Bengaluru.
Pugazhendhi has been told to appear before the commission on April 26 (Tuesday) to explain his reasonings as to why the former chief minister, who ordered the constitution of the commission, should be examined too.
"There was opposition from
Apollo Hospitals
and VK Sasikala's side to the proposal, on the ground that the inquiry is over. But, the commission said it is its decision and will take time to decide," Pugazhendhi who appeared before the commission on Tuesday told TOI.
Pugazhendhi moved the petition last month seeking to summon health secretary
J Radhakrishnan
and the then chief secretary P Rama Mohan Rao, along with former Palaniswamy.
"Palaniswamy used to visit Apollo Hospital frequently to ascertain the health status of Jayalalithaa, when she was undergoing treatment. I have reliably learnt that an urgent meeting was convened at the hospital on September 27, 2016 relating to the inter-state Cauvery water issue. Palaniswamy, who was then a PWD minister, was nominated to represent the state before the tribunal," the petition by Pugazhendhi said, and urged the commission to summon
EPS
to depose and bring out the truth behind Jayalalithaa's death.
The commission resumed its inquiry last month, after a gap of three years.