Chennai: Minister for health and family welfare C. Vijaya Baskar on Monday appeared before the Justice A. Arumughaswamy Commission, which is probing the hospitalisation and death of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.
Speaking to the media after his appearance before the commission, the minister said that he had answered all the questions posed by the commission and other advocates regarding the treatment provided to Jayalalithaa.
The minister said, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Amma and I have no words to express my feelings about the loss.” Refusing to answer queries posed by the media, he left the place immediately.
Later, N. Rajasenthoor Pandian, counsel for V.K. Sasikala, who cross-examined the minister, said that he had informed the commission that he saw Jayalalithaa when she was taken to a ward for tracheotomy on October 7, 2016, in the Apollo Hospital. She was taken on a stretcher and it had crossed him.
Counsel said the minister repeated whatever health secretary J. Radhakrishnan had deposed before the commission. Contrary to the statement of minister C. VE. Shanmugam over not conducting a cabinet meeting, Vijaya Baskar said that the meeting was held on October 19, 2016, and it had passed a resolution hoping that Jayalalithaa would get well soon and assume the Chief Minister’s post. During the meeting the ministers had not discussed taking Amma to a foreign country for further treatment.
