With the merger talks on between the two AIADMK factions, one of the major demands put forth as a strong condition for merger is a detailed probe into Jayalalithaa's death and bring out the details of the treatment offered to her.
Notably, a week ago, talks about the treatment had made headlines when the name of Dr Balaji, the doctor who famously attested Jayalalithaa's thumb impression, propped up in the payout list seized during an Income Tax raid at Health minister Dr C Vijaya Bhaskar's house.
Since then, the mystery shrouding Jayalalithaa's death has become the most debated issue.
But it seems the probe into Jaya's treatment has already begun.
As per information available from one of the well-informed sources close to the ruling party, an anonymous person has filed a detailed RTI query. The RTI has asked for detailed responses on the role played by Balaji, as to why he was the chosen one.
However, the government sources refused to share details of the RTI applicant.
Here are the questions in the RTI application sent to the Directorate of Medical Education and Secretariat:
1. Promotion order of Dr Balaji from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor of Surgery, Dharmapuri Medical College?
2. Record of number of days Dr Balaji worked in Dharmapuri Medical College, excluding all leaves like casual leave, medical leave and earned leave.
3. Copy of the deputation order of Dr Balaji and file notings for the reason for such deputation.
4. Document, if any, from the Dean, Dharmapuri Medical College, stating that they have excess general surgeons in Dharmapuri and that Dr Balaji's service is not required there at the time of deputation.
5. Documents from Dharmapuri Medical College, if any to show that there were excess surgeons at the time of Deputation of Prof Balaji.
6. Documents if any to show that there were paucity of general surgeons in Madras Medical College at the time of deputation of Dr Balaji.
7. Staff strength at the level of associate professors and vacancy position, if any, in general surgery in Madras Medical College (MMC) on the date of deputation of Prof Balaji.
8. Has there been a letter from Dean, MMC, requesting for deputation of Dr Balaji to MMC and if so, a copy of the same.
9. At the time of deputation of Dr Balaji, how many associate professors of the same cadre but senior to him by CML (civil medical list) were serving in places outside Chennai.
10. Document to show why the government decided to depute Dr Balaji in particular, and not anyone senior to him by CML, if increased strength was necessary in MMC.
11. On what basis a department of minimal access surgery was started and the reason for selecting Dr Balaji to head the department. Relevant documents may be provided
12. What was the selection process for the same? Was a panel of doctors created, were the essential qualifications for this post finalised and circulated to enable other doctors to apply for the same? Documents for the same.
13. Is PhD an academic qualification for heading a department. If so such document may be provided
14. Is there any past instance of PhD rather than seniority used to select a person to head a department. If so, documents thereof
15. Types of minimal access surgeries done in his department in any month in 2016 (sample month could be mid-year, say May or June).
16. List of laproscopic surgeries done during the same month in general surgery department and surgical gastro-enterology department.
17. Order creating TRANSTAN and the constitution and by-laws of TRANSTAN. Copy of the document registered with registrar of cooperative societies be provided.
18. Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of TRANSTAN held so far may be provided.
19. Order appointing Dr Balaji as the Member Secretary may be provided.
20. Manner of selection (if a panel of doctors were formed,or advertisement given for the post) may be provided.
21. Was the Director of Medical Education consulted in the appointment process of Dr Balaji as a Member Secretary. The correspondence of the same, if any, may be provided.
22. What was the qualification or experience of Dr Balaji in the field of Transplants. Extracts from his service register may be provided
23. A five-member committee of doctors in TN Medical Services was formed to supervise the treatment given to Jayalalithaa at Apollo Hospital. Copy of the order constituting that committee, including the scope and work description and terms of reference of that said committee.
24. How many times did the committee examine the patient, physically and in person, and what were their observations and recommendations.
25. What was the final report of the said committee. Copy of the same to be provided.
