Flogging the dead: The Hindu Editorial on Jayalalithaa death and the probe panel’s report

Typically, solely a skinny line separates use of energy from its misuse. Political calculations, not medical sense or public curiosity, went into the organising of the inquiry fee probing the circumstances that led to the loss of life of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in December 2016. To be able to ease the method of re-integrating himself with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) after a interval of isolation, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam laid a precondition for his coming again to the fold — a probe into Jayalalithaa’s loss of life. The AIADMK’s Edappadi Okay. Palaniswami discovered it simple to acquiesce because the purported antagonist — V.Okay. Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s aide — was a typical enemy. Thus, the A. Arumughaswamy Fee of Inquiry (CoI) was constituted in September 2017. The primary signal of bother on this submit mortem deconstruction was when Apollo Hospitals, the place Jayalalithaa was handled till her loss of life, claimed the CoI was looking for to repair legal intent on the a part of the hospital. The hospital approached the Madras Excessive Court docket pleading that the CoI was not certified to inquire into the correctness of therapy meted out, and went on to counsel, because it did to the CoI in 2018, {that a} medical board be constituted to help the decide, however it was rejected. The Supreme Court docket stayed the proceedings earlier than the CoI in April 2019. In 2021, the Supreme Court docket favoured the structure of a medical panel from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, to advise the CoI. This panel submitted its report earlier this month, agreeing with the hospital’s submission that Jayalalithaa had suffered a matrix of ailments, for which she was given right and acceptable therapy, and averred with the ultimate analysis.

After umpteen extensions, the CoI lastly submitted its report on August 27. It has really helpful that the federal government conduct an inquiry into the position of some individuals, together with Sasikala, who didn’t depose in particular person earlier than it. Curiously, the person who was accountable for the CoI, Mr. Panneerselvam too delayed his deposition till March this 12 months, and remained largely non-committal even when he appeared. Evidently, the political benefit the fee offered for the AIADMK had ceased to be related. Within the interregnum, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has taken over the reins of the State. To now flog this challenge past loss of life could be sorely missing in sagacity, and mark a brand new low in politicking. The federal government will do nicely to place this non-issue to relaxation as soon as and for all. No political mileage may be squeezed from this report by anybody.