Madras High Court Dismisses Plea Seeking CBI Probe Into Death of Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa

The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea seeking CBI enquiry into the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha. The bench of Acting Chief Justice T Raja and Justice D Krishnakumar dismissed the petition observing that it was not maintainable.

While dismissing the petition, the court asked Petitioner R R Gopaljee to exhaust his remedies before the CBI and other concerned authorities by way of representations before approaching the High Court. 

The petitioner relied on the report of Justice Arumugasamy Inquiry Commission and submitted that there were various discrepancies in the death of the former minister. The commission had raised various questions and had alleged that certain persons were involved in the conspiracy. The commission also stated that there were lapses in the treatment. The hospital had failed to disclose the facts relating to her medical condition and the course of treatment.

The commission had found Jayalalitha's aide Sasikala, former health minister Dr C Vijayabaskar, Dr. KS Sivakumar (Jayalalithaa's personal physician and relative of Sasikala), and former health secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan guilty. It had requested an investigation into the former Tamil Nadu chief minister's death case.

After a huge furor, then Chief Minister had requested a probe into her death which led to the formation of the Arumugasamy Commission. The Commission was assigned to enquire into the circumstances, health condition, and situation leading to the hospitalization of Jayalalitha on 22 September 2016, and treatment provided till her demise on 5 December 2016.

Case Title: RR Gopaljee v Union of India

Case No: WP No. 119133 of 2022 (Filing No)