Madras High Court quashes PIL seeking statement on Jayalalithaa's health

The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed a Public Interest Litigation moved by 'Traffic' K.R. Ramaswamy seeking a direction to be given to the state government to declare the health status of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who is recuperating at the Apollo Hospital , Chennai. The court described the petition as mere act of publicity.

Terming the PIL as a "Publicity Interest Litigation", the First Bench of Chief Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan warned the petitioner not to use the forum for political purposes.

On Monday, Mr. Ramaswamy approached the high court seeking direction to declare the real status of her health, with material proofs like photographs before the court.

Ramaswamy wanted the court to direct the Principal Secretary to the Governor to consider appointing an interim chief minister in the State in accordance with the law.

On Tuesday, since his plea was not listed for hearing, the petitioner made an urgent mention before a Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and R. Mahadevan.

The petitioner moved the division bench since the First Bench which usually hears such matters was seated in Madurai on Tuesday.

Suggesting that the Additional Advocate General be given instructions from the authorities concerned, the Division Bench made an oral observation that the people have the right to know the status of the chief minister's health, since she in a responsible position of governing the affairs of the state.

Amid speculation that Jayalalithaa, 68, is seriously unwell and her party is trying to keep it a secret, Ramaswamy asked for a statement on her health and sought the appointment of an interim chief minister.

But when the plea came up for hearing on Thursday, before the First Bench, the Chief Justice turned down the plea.