SC tells AIIMS medical board to assist inquiry panel probing Jayalalithaa death

On November 30, the top court had said it will pass orders to allow the setting up of a medical board of AIIMS doctors to help the Justice Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry. The order in the matter was uploaded recently.

Apollo Hospitals had moved the top court alleging that the panel was biased, violated the principles of natural justice, and also conducting the fact-finding exercise outside its jurisdiction. The panel had denied the allegation of bias.

The top court said having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, "we are of the view that it is just and proper for the Commission to furnish the documents, the depositions and the records as available in the records of the Commission on an application to be made by the appellant-Hospital and respondent no 3 (V.K. Sasikala)".

The bench also permitted Apollo to make an appropriate application seeking permission to cross-examine/recall of any witness or individual including those witnesses whose evidence has since been closed and also lead its own evidence. "If such an application is filed, we request the Commission to consider the same and pass appropriate orders thereon," it added.

The top court also asked the commission to permit Sasikala to lead her evidence at an appropriate stage of the inquiry

The commission was tasked to examine the circumstances which led to the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa on September 22, 2016, and also the nature of treatment, to determine the cause of death.

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