Minister Vijaya Baskar appears before Jaya probe panel

Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar today appeared before the inquiry commission probing death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The Commission led by Justice Arumugaswamy has summoned the Minister since Sasikala's counsel demanded that Vijaya Baskar should also be questioned.

On Friday, Vijaya Baskar submitted an affidavit before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, undertaking to abide by the mandatory helmet- wearing rule for motorists. The response was filed by the Minister in a plea filed by social activist 'Traffic' Ramasamy who had complained against the Minister. Taking note of the submission, a Division Bench of Justices K K Sasidharan and P D Audikesavalu disposed of the petition.

Earlier, the HC, taking cognisance of photographs that showed the Minister riding without a helmet, observed that the helmet rule applied to the Health Minister too. It also sought a response from him in the case. In his plea, Ramasamy complained that Vijaya Baskar and Madurai North MLA Rajan Chellappa had failed to abide by the law.

"The Minister had participated in a health camp held in Pudukottai. As part of the event, he along with 100 other volunteers and AIADMK cadre went on a motorcycle rally without wearing helmets," Ramasamy said.