Madras High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking CBI Probe Into Death Of Former TN CM Jayalalithaa

The bench of Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq issued notice to the authorities on a plea filed by Advocate Ramkumar Adithyan. The court asked the respondent authorities to look into the petition and get back to the court.

In his petition, Adityan submitted that he was compelled to file the petition even 8 years after Jayalalithaa's demise to find out the truth of her death which was still not revealed. He added that the press reports and medical reports suggest that medical bulletins did not reflect the actual health of Jayalalithaa while she was hospitalized. He added that most of the statements were false.

He thus stated that he had sent representations to take appropriate action against those who were officiating extra-constitutional authority during Jayalalithaa's hospitalization, persons responsible for withdrawing Z-Plus security during her hospitalization, persons who issued false statements and misguided the public, etc.

It was further submitted that the entire treatment protocol was within the special knowledge of the high-profile dignitaries of the State of Tamil Nadu. He thus pointed out that the deployment of the state police to investigate such complicity of officials and dignitaries may not result in a fair investigation and dilute/frustrate the truth from being revealed or justice from being rendered.

Adityan submitted that the CBI was competent to investigate special crimes committed by highly placed functionaries and Ministers who are vested with authoritative powers. He added that even the Arumughaswamy Commission, which was appointed to inquire into the circumstances and situations leading to the hospitalization and death of Jayalalithaa, had reported that the circumstances had to be looked into.

Though Adityan had made representations, since no action was taken, he had approached the court seeking relief.

Case Title: B Ramkumar Adityan v Home Secretary and others

Case No: WP No. 19554 of 2024