Madras HC dismisses PIL seeking report on Jayalalithaa’s health condition, says it is a publicity interest petition

The first bench of the Madras high court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist K R 'Traffic' Ramaswamy which sought a report on the health status of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa who is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. The court termed the PIL as a "publicity interest petition."

"Do not try to use this forum for political purposes. This is nothing but publicity interest petition," said the bench, refusing to entertain the PIL.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22 for "fever and dehydration." According to medical bulletins released by the hospital this week, the chief minister was given antibiotics to treat infection and kept under respiratory support.

Noting that real situation was not being disclosed, Ramaswamy filed the PIL. On Tuesday, a division bench said it would not pass any adverse orders, but asked the government to give details.

However, on Thursday the first bench curtly dismissed the PIL and noted that the hospital was issuing medical bulletins.

The court also declined to hear Ramaswamy's plea for appointing an interim chief minister.

When Ramaswamy's advocate said no one knew about the chief minister's health status, the bench said, "God knows."

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