During the time when the AIADMK was divided into two factions, the faction led by O Panneerselvam had demanded a probe into the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, saying that she did not die due to health circumstances, but was a conspiracy planned by someone.
The Pannerselvam faction had also put forth a demand that the faction will merge with the AIADMK faction of Chief Minister K Palaniswami only when an investigation will be ordered regarding the death of Jayalalithaa.
Following the demand of Pannerselvam and taking an initiative to merge both the faction, the Chief Minister agreeing to the demand had ordered on 17 August 2017 that a one-man inquiry commission would be constituted for the probe. He had also announced that the residence of the former Chief Minister, Poes Garden will be turned into a memorial. Both the factions of AIADMK merged on 21 August with incumbent Chief Minister to continue the post and Pannerselvam, appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister.
However, Jayalalithaa’s niece, D Jayakumar had raised an objection on the announcement of turning Poes Garden into a memorial. She had said that “I have a moral, ethical and legal right over this house. They have no right to announce this without consulting legal heirs, that is me and my brother.”
While Apollo hospital, where Jayalalithaa was admitted and took her last breath on 5 Dec, praised the decision of the Chief Minister. “The decision to set up a committee to inquire into the cause of death of former TN CM Jayalalithaa is a good move,” it said.
The Tamil Nadu government after the orders issued by the Chief Minister last month, on Friday, appointed Justice A Arumughaswamy to take care of the investigations and inquire about the circumstances leading to the hospitalisation of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Arumughaswamy will be submitting his report in three months, as asked by the government, following which a notification will be called for information on the agenda of the one-man inquiry commission.
Arumughaswamy said “the probe would be transparent. The commission shall submit its report in three months, as per the government order.”
The orders issued by Palaniawamy last month only asks the commission “to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to the hospitalisation” of Jayalalithaa on 22 September 2016 and “subsequent treatment provided till her unfortunate demise” on 5 December the same year.”