Have no faith in commission probing Jaya death, Apollo tells apex court

Have no faith in commission probing Jaya death, Apollo tells apex court

Says Won’t Be Able To Appear Before Panel

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:27.10.2021

Alleging bias and arbitrariness in the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission probing the circumstances surrounding the death of former chief minister Jayalalithaa, the Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals has said it would not be able to appear before the commission for inquiry.

The Supreme Court had in April 2019 stayed the commission proceedings, after Apollo Hospitals took the case to the apex court saying the commission was not in a position to understand its submissions as it did not have a doctor or an expert familiar medical procedures and protocols.

Though many political leaders, including former chief minister O Panneerselvam, were yet to appear before the commission for inquiry, the doctors who treated Jayalalitha were made to appear before it repeatedly, said the hospital.

Selective leak of testimony given by doctors resulted in the hospital’s image being tarnished in public eye, Apollo said, adding that the commission was straying beyond its terms of reference. Noting that it was ready to take party in any court proceedings, Apollo said it had no faith in the commission.

The hospital also said that the then AIADMK government had directed the hospital to remove the CCTV on the floor where Jayalalitha was being treated, saying it was a privacy issue.

After a 75-day stay at Apollo, Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016. Justice Arumughaswamy commission was set up in September 2017.

FOR A FAIR PROBE: Apollo Hospitals alleges bias and arbitrariness against the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission probing the circumstances surrounding the death of former CM Jayalalithaa

Selective leak of testimony given by doctors resulted in the hospital’s image being tarnished, Apollo said