A specialist in critical care who treated Jayalalithaa told the Commission of Inquiry looking into the former Chief Minister's death that the option of flying her abroad was discussed with government officials, who responded by saying that the AIADMK general secretary will not give consent to the proposal.
R. Senthil Kumar, a senior consultant with Apollo Hospitals, told the Justice (Retd.) A. Arumughaswamy Commission during cross-examination that the hospital did not decide on taking its patient abroad. Options were presented before relatives, who took the decision.
The controversy over taking Jayalalithaa abroad for treatment surfaced recently after comments made by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who said that he had suggested to Apollo Hospital authorities that the former CM be taken abroad. He went on to allege that the hospital had rejected his request.