The Madras High Court on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to furnish details about Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's health. Justice Sundresh told the government's lawyer C Manishankar that people were anxious to know about the chief minister's health. The additional advocate general will file an update on Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital since September 22, on Wednesday, reported PTI.

The court took up the matter after social activist KR "Traffic" Ramaswamy filed a petition, seeking an official statement from the government on the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief's health. Ramaswamy had also asked the government to appoint an interim chief minister till Jayalalithaa is fit enough to join office, reported PTI.

Party spokesperson CR Saraswathi said that Apollo Hospital authorities had confirmed that she is recovering. "She is hale and healthy and will come back soon," Saraswathi added. Regarding the state's governance, a senior AIADMK leader said a team of six officials – four private secretaries, the chief secretary and official adviser to the chief minister – were managing administration.

Jayalalithaa's health has been a major concern for the state, especially amid speculation that her condition has deteriorated significantly though the party maintains she is recovering. Opposition leaders like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's M Karunanidhi had asked the AIADMK to release pictures to prove she was not in critical condition. The ruling party has also filed four police cases against people spreading rumours about her health on social media.