Bombay High Court orders video examination of Varavara Rao

Mumbai, November 12: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered that a video examination of the medical condition of 81-year-old poet Varavara Rao, currently lodged at Taloja Central Jail, be conducted by a team of doctors of Nanavati hospital.

A division Bench of justices A.K. Menon and S.P. Tavade said if the team of doctors are of the view that video examination is not possible then they should visit Taloja Jail at the earliest to ascertain his medical condition and submit the report on or before November 16. The Bench also said the team of doctors must be the same ones who have seen Rao before, The Hindu reported. 

The hearing was adjourned till November 17.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by Rao’s wife P. Hemlata through senior advocate Indira Jaisingh. As an urgent interim relief she sought that a medical examination be conducted to recommend the line of treatment and also urged that Rao be shifted from Taloja jail to Nanavati Hospital.

Jaisingh said that on Tuesday, Father Stan Swamy, co-accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case who is also lodged at the prison hospital at Taloja Central jail, informed senior advocate Mihir Desai that Rao’s health was “fast deteriorating.”

Jaisingh told the court that Rao has dementia, is bedridden and kept in diapers due to incontinence. His catheters are not changed because of which he has developed urinary tract infection, Jaisingh said, adding that conditions of his detention are “cruel, inhuman and degrading.”

The petition argued that there is a legitimate concern that the Telugu poet may lose his life and it will be a custodial death. She sought for an independent board of doctors from Nanavati Hospital to examine his health as he was previously admitted there and the hospital was chosen by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Jaisingh relied on an affidavit filed by the NIA stating that Rao cannot be given bail as he is a terrorist and is charged under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The court asked Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh representing the NIA, “What is the harm if a board of doctors from Nanavati Hospital conducts medical tests on Rao? A panel of doctors needs to decide on the tests that he can withstand given his medical condition.. then they can decide on whether he needs to be shifted to Nanavati Hospital.”

Government counsel Deepak Thakare said a recent medical report on November 2 says urine cultural tests were conducted and all reports are “normal”. After perusing the report, the court said, “Who has done the tests.. the name of the doctor is not mentioned.”

The court went to say, “We don’t want to have a knee jerk reaction and shift him out of prison hospital but how much can be assessed through video?”

To which Singh interrupted and said, “Let doctors examine him on video. We have doctors in jail and government hospitals. Can’t let prisoners choose their doctors, it will set a wrong precedent.”

The court then said, “It is about a prisoner’s health. Let video examination be conducted today or at the earliest by a team of Nanavati doctors and let them file a report at the earliest.”

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bombay-high-court-orders-video-examination-of-varavara-rao/article33084673.ece