The Justice Arumuga Swamy-led one-man Commission of Inquiry (COI) probing the mysterious circumstances preceding the December, 2016 demise of former Tamil Nadu chief-minister J. Jayalalithaa has said that it appeared from available evidence that the deceased chief-minister was very much ‘conscious’ when she affixed her LTI on the nomination papers proposing party candidates for the Assembly by-polls.

Admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Chennai on the night of 22nd September, 2016 after she complained of breathing difficulties, ‘Puratchithalaivi’ ironically never returned alive from the Hospital which declared her ‘dead’ on the night of 05th December after 75-days of hospitalization.  The COI was set up by the AIADMK Govt. after doubts were raised in several quarters about Jayalalithaa’s demise and the treatment she received.

Assembly by-polls for three seats were held a month prior to Jayalalithaa’s eventual demise for which her LTI was taken in the nomination form nominating AIADMK candidates.  Dr. Balaji of Apollo Hospitals deposed before the COI stating that Jayalalithaa was conscious when her LTI was taken on the nomination form.  The COI has now said that it had confirmed the doctor’s version.

“It was indeed true that Jayalalithaa was conscious when her LTI was taken on the nomination form for by-poll nominations.  The ink was erased from her hand first by Dr. Balaji and later by Sasikala,” a report by the COI has clarified.