Madras HC directs Tamil Nadu govt to provide details on Jayalalithaa's health

Official release with regard to the health condition of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who has been undergoing treatment at a hospital since 22 September, will reduce the anxiety of the people, the Madras High Court observed on Tuesday while asking the government to get back on the issue by Wednesday. The oral observation was made by a division bench while hearing a PIL by social activist ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy, who has sought a detailed report from the government on the health condition of Jayalalithaa. Traffic Ramaswamy had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court seeking the real status of Jayalalithaa’s health. Holding that Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan had reportedly visited the hospital, the petitioner said they have not given details about her health condition. He also submitted that the police had blocked the roads leading to the corporate hospital where Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment by erecting barricades preventing others to go to the hospital for treatment. He sought to know whether Jayalalithaa was in sound health to take important decisions and hold meetings of officials and ministers, stating that the people were eager to know. [caption id=“attachment_3033722” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of CM J Jayalalithaa. AFP[/caption] The court also observed that people were anxious to know about the Chief Minister’s health. It added that though the hospital was releasing bulletins, being the chief minister of the state, some official release with regard to her health condition will reduce the anxiety of the people. The bench said that it is not passing any order on the PIL but directed the additional advocate general to consult the government on the matter. The standard answer from party leaders about Jayalalithaa’s health condition is that “Amma is well and will be back soon.” The Hindu reported that Sasikala Pushpa, expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha member had said that the State government should provide details on Jayalalithaa’s health, stating that even the State Health Minister had no clue about her condition on Monday. DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, wishing to put an end to all the rumors surrounding her health, demanded that the state government accordingly release her photograph from the hospital,on Monday. He also demanded that the state governor see to it that a transparent system be available to the people about the actual status of Jayalalithaa’s health, according to The Indian Express. Party spokesperson CR Saraswathi urged the people and the party cadres not to believe the baseless rumours about Jayalalithaa’s health.“Our Amma (Jayalalithaa) is meeting Ministers and giving instructions on the local body polls. She is fine but needs some rest,” Saraswathi told IANS. Though Jayalalithaa is in the hospital, according to the report, major government decisions are being taken by her. Even the party statements are issued in her name. The court asked Tamil Nadu’s Additional Advocate General C Manishankar to get back to it after consulting the government on the health condition of the chief minister by Wednesday. With inputs from agencies