HC seeks report from SSKM on ‘influential’ patients
Times of India | 5 January 2024
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday sought a report from the director of Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) and SSKM Hospital on the duration of bed occupancy of persons arrested by central investigating agencies who had been shifted to the hospital on the recommendations of the jail superintendent after being remanded in judicial custody.
A division bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya also sought a brief note on the health condition of the “influential” persons in custody before the next hearing on January 24.
The court passed the directive while responding to two writ petitions where it was alleged that innocent persons were deprived of treatment at the state’s premier hospital because some influential MLAs, ministers and persons were occupying beds for months together. It was alleged that SSKM Hospital had become a “safe shelter” for VVIPs.
The CJ held that the court couldn’t embark on the medical evaluation of patients. He wanted to know the procedure of hospitalization and also asked the government pleader how long these patients could continue to stay in hospital after the petitioner pointed out that Sujay Krishna Bhadra had been at SSKM for four months.
“We do not express any opinion on the matter. An undertrial can stay in hospital if he needs life support. But what about those who have allegedly been found to be roaming around?” the Chief Justice said.
Deputy solicitor general Billwadal Bhattacharya pointed out that the hospitalization procedure for persons in judicial custody was laid down in the jail code.