Collapse was a surprise, did everything possible: Jaya's doctors on her death

Shortly after VK Sasikala is due to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a strong effort has been made to lay to rest a simmering issue - the real medical situation surrounding the death of J Jayalalithaa, who died on the night of December 5. 

The issue, long subject to intense rumours, is also the subject of several legal petitions, including one in the Supreme Court, which asked for a Central government probe into the death. 

Now, in a surprise, Dr Richard Beale held a press conference and sought to clear the air over Jayalalithaa's death. Dr Beale is an internationally renowned specialist and researcher. 

He is a Consultant Intensivist at the London Bridge Hospital. An intensivist, also known as a critical care physician, is a medical doctor with specialised training and experience in treating critically ill patients. He treats Jayalalithaa at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai. 

Speaking to the media, he said he wanted to 'dispel rumours' surrounding the death of the former CM. Speaking about her illness in great detail, Dr Beale stated that Jayalalithaa came to the hospital in critical condition. 

She was conscious but suffering from septicemia - a severe infection of her blood. Also, her diabetes made her condition worse, with her sugar levels being uncontrollable. She also had respiratory problems, severe blood pressure issues, dehydration and a urinary infection. 

The infections, Dr Beale, said, ultimately spread to her organs and caused multi-organ failure. Dr Beale admitted that Jayalalithaa's sudden collapse, in the end, came as a surprise. However, there was nothing more they could have done medically, he added. 

Dr Beale dismissed rumours about autopsies, transplants, amputations and procedures before she reached the hospital, clarifying that the marks noticed on Jayalalithaa's face could have come from medical tape which was used to fix various devices, like breathing apparatus, to Jayalalithaa. 

Dr Balaji, who also treated Jayalalithaa, confirmed that the four marks noticed on Jayalalithaa's cheek was from embalming. However, he clarified that the embalming only happened after Jaya's death, and took only 15 minutes. 

Dr Beale summed up by saying he had not come to Chennai under any pressure but had been asked by the government to speak and dispel rumours. 

• Jayalalithaa