India News

Retired Madras HC judge Justice A Arumughaswamy to probe Jayalalithaa’s death

Published

9 years ago

September 25, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Judicial enquiry ordered days after Tamil Nadu’s forest minister hinted that AIADMK chief’s family and kin had a role in her death

Days after Tamil Nadu’s forest minister Dindigul Sreenivasan issued a public apology claiming that the party’s top brass “lied” about the medical condition of deceased AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa and indicated that her family had a role to play in her death, the Tamil Nadu government delivered on its promise of a judicial inquiry into the chief minister’s mysterious death in December last year.

The Edappadi Palaniswami-led state government, on Monday, appointed retired Madras High Court judge Justice A Arumughaswamy to probe the circumstances in which Amma died at Chennai’s Apollo Hospital on December 5 last year – 75 days after she was wheeled into the facility for treatment of fever and dehydration.

“A government order has been issued to set up an inquiry commission headed by retired judge of the high court Justice Arumughaswamy to probe Jayalalithaa’s death and submit a report,” a brief statement by the state’s information department said.

Last month, in a bid to broker a truce with the party’s rival faction led by O Panneerselvam, Palaniswami had agreed to his demand of setting up a judicial probe to look into the circumstances leading to the demise of Jayalalithaa. Days later, while the Panneerselvam and Palaniswami factions of AIADMK united and the former returned to join the state government as chief minister, the third rival faction led by Jayalalithaa’s close aide and party’s now sidelined chief, the jailed VK Sasikala, and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran continued their machinations to destabilise the state government.

However, the biggest shocker on the mystery behind Jayalalithaa’s death had come on Friday when Sreenivasan claimed that no political leader – including Panneerselvam (OPS) who was then the acting chief minister – was allowed by Amma’s family members and closest aide, VK Sasikala, to see the AIADMK chief during the 75 days that she was admitted in the Apollo hospital- from September 22 till her death on December 5.

Sreenivasan was referring to the several claims made by OPS, his ministerial colleagues in Tamil Nadu and various AIADMK functionaries during the time when Jayalalithaa was in hospital – each of whom claimed to have paid her a visit in the hospital and many who gave media bytes about her condition, what she enquired about or what she ate.

“The claims made by us that she ate idlis in hospital were a total lie, because none of the ministers were allowed to meet her in the hospital and none of us knew the reality,” Sreenivasan said, adding: “There were several leaders who visited the hospital, but all of them were allowed only up to the first floor. Beyond that no one was allowed. All were made to sit on chairs or on the floor and after a chat left. Nobody saw Amma”.

“The family did not allow anybody near Amma during her hospitalisation. They alone know how Amma died and they are responsible,” Sreenivasan had said, in a comment that expectedly put renewed focus on rumours that Jayalalithaa’s death was not ‘natural’ and that her family members or the jailed Sasikala may have had a role to play in the death.

Sasikala’s nephew and the now sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran – who for the past few weeks has been trying to unseat Palaniswami from the chief minister’s chair – has dismissed Sreenivasan’s charges.

On Monday, hours before the Palaniswami government appointed Justice Arumughaswamy to lead the judicial probe into Jayalalithaa’s death, Dhinakaran revealed to the media that Sasikala had shot a video of the ailing Amma while she was hospitalized.

“CCTV footages are available with the hospital. We have a footage shot by Chinnamma (Sasikala), after insisted by Jayalalithaa over her weight loss (sic),” Dhinakaran told reporters, adding that Jayalalithaa was in her night wear and was watching television when the video was shot.

“When asked by him (pointing to his confidante and RK Nagar poll in-charge, P Vetrivel) if the footage could be used during RK Nagar bypolls, Sasikala said no. She told us to seek setting up inquiry commission ourselves and submit the video footage at an appropriate time. We are ready to give to any inquiry panel, CBI or whatever. We are not scared,” Dhinakaran said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Delhi Police offers 11-person limit for CJP’s Connaught Place protest

Delhi Police has offered to facilitate a group of 11 people at Central Park in Connaught Place for the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 16 protest, while warning that violations of prohibitory orders could invite legal action.

Published

2 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Police has proposed allowing a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged electoral fraud.

The police said it could facilitate the group at a suitable place in the park, while appealing to the public not to join the proposed gathering in large numbers. The offer comes amid prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and adjoining areas under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday with the national flag. The proposed demonstration, named “Lehra Do Tiranga”, follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka during an earlier protest.

Why Delhi Police proposed limiting the gathering

In its statement, Delhi Police cited the prevailing security and law-and-order situation in the area. It also referred to information from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the NDMC had informed the police about the closure and had asked that no gathering be allowed near the park.

The police also cited representations from trader and market associations in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. According to the police, the associations had raised concerns about unlawful assemblies and their impact on businesses, particularly during the festive season.

Police warned that violations of Section 163 BNSS would invite appropriate legal action. It also stressed that the national flag must be displayed and carried, and the national anthem sung, in the prescribed manner with due respect and dignity.

Delhi High Court declines to stop CJP protest

The proposed gathering reached the Delhi High Court after a vendor sought intervention over concerns about disruption to businesses and public movement in Connaught Place.

On Thursday, the court declined to restrain the CJP from holding the protest. It recorded the police’s assurance that all possible measures under the law would be taken to regulate the gathering and maintain peace.

The petition was filed by a vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, who raised concerns about the potential impact of the demonstration on traders and others working in the area.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the proposed protest.

CJP’s protest call follows detention of party members

Dipke’s October 16 protest call follows earlier demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud. CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in jail on trespass charges after raising the national flag at Jantar Mantar earlier this week, according to the report.

The party has been protesting over alleged electoral fraud and has raised questions about the Election Commission.

Dipke has urged people to gather at Central Park with the national flag, arguing that raising the Tricolour should not be treated as a crime.

The police’s proposal to facilitate a group of 11 people came as the authorities sought to prevent a larger gathering at the site. The CJP’s response to the police’s offer was still awaited in the report published on October 15.

India News

Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India after CJP protest

Actor Imran Khan has been asked to leave India by October 28, days after participating in a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

Published

3 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Actor Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, has been asked to leave India by the Mumbai Police, days after participating in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

According to the notice, the actor has been given until October 28 to leave the country. The development follows his participation in the demonstration, which brought the actor into the spotlight over his involvement in a political protest.

Imran Khan is believed to hold US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship, according to the report.

What led to the notice against Imran Khan?

The notice came days after Imran Khan joined a protest called by the CJP in Mumbai. The group, described as a satirical political organisation, had called for the demonstration.

The actor’s participation was followed by action from the authorities, with the Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by the specified deadline.

The notice does not, by itself, mean that the actor has already left the country or has been deported. October 28 is the deadline mentioned for his departure.

Imran Khan and his citizenship status

Imran Khan is known for his work in Hindi films, including Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly. He is also the nephew of actor Aamir Khan.

The report states that Imran Khan is believed to be a US citizen and hold an OCI card. OCI status does not confer Indian citizenship, although it provides eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin with specified privileges under Indian law.

The notice directing the actor to leave India follows his participation in the Mumbai protest. The reported development has brought attention to the intersection of immigration rules and the participation of foreign nationals in political demonstrations.

India News

Election Commission orders voter roll revision in 17 states, UTs

The Election Commission has ordered a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories. Draft rolls are scheduled for November 12, with final rolls due on January 4, 2027.

Published

3 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories, with the exercise aimed at facilitating voter registration and including eligible electors who may have been left out during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The order was issued on Thursday, October 15, amid continuing political controversy over the SIR process and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the exclusion of names from electoral rolls.

Under the announced schedule, January 1, 2027, will be the qualifying date for the revision. The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on November 12, while the final rolls are due on January 4, 2027. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, two states included in the exercise, are scheduled to go to the polls by February 2027.

Which states and Union Territories are covered?

The Special Summary Revision will cover the following 17 states and Union Territories:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Assam
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Kerala
Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Manipur
Puducherry
Punjab
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal

The Election Commission’s order follows earlier instructions issued to state election officials on September 29 to undertake a special drive to enrol eligible voters who had been left out, along with young and first-time electors.

Why has the Election Commission ordered the revision?

The announcement comes amid protests and political disagreements over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about names being excluded during the exercise.

Another point of contention has been an additional declaration required from applicants submitting Form 6 for voter enrolment while the SIR was underway. The declaration required applicants to map their parents to the last SIR, which was conducted around 20 years ago.

The Election Commission had clarified on October 7 that the additional declaration applied only in states and Union Territories where the SIR was being conducted. It said the regular forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, would apply outside the SIR period.

The latest SSR order refers to applications for inclusion through Form 6 but does not mention the additional declaration.

What happens in states not covered by the current schedule?

The Election Commission has said that the schedule for the Special Summary Revision will be announced later in states and Union Territories where the SIR is ongoing or has recently been completed.

These include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and Telangana.

For Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, where the SIR has not yet started, the schedule for electoral roll revision will be announced in due course, taking local weather conditions into account.

The Election Commission’s latest order sets out a separate timeline for the 17 states and Union Territories covered by the current SSR exercise, while leaving the schedules for the other regions to be announced later.