4 hrs ago
Delhi court denies former health chief medical interim bail
A court in Delhi decided that Dr Vatsala Aggarwal must return to jail.
She had asked to remain outside prison because of several health problems.
She was previously given temporary bail for four weeks on humanitarian grounds.
Her lawyers said she had an infection and needed to avoid crowded places.
The court said her illnesses were not life-threatening and could be treated in jail.
The judge ordered jail officials to take special precautions for her health.
Officials must arrange a breathing-support machine and oxygen therapy when needed.
If the jail cannot provide this equipment, she must be taken to a government hospital.
Aggarwal is also accused in a large case involving alleged problems in medical-supplies purchases.
A Delhi court denied Dr Vatsala Aggarwal’s request to extend interim bail on medical grounds.
Aggarwal is the primary accused in an alleged Rs 700-crore medical procurement fraud case.
The court said her conditions were not life-threatening and could be treated in jail.
Her lawyers argued that her immunocompromised condition made crowded prison conditions medically unsuitable.
The Jail Superintendent was ordered to arrange required care, including nocturnal oxygen therapy if needed.
- Who
- Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, former Directorate General of Health Services chief and primary accused in the case.
- What
- A Delhi court denied her request to extend interim bail on medical grounds.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi; the court directed that treatment be provided inside jail or at a government hospital if necessary.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Monday; her earlier interim bail had been granted on August 18 for four weeks.
- Why
- The court found that her reported illnesses were not life-threatening and could be treated in jail, while ordering precautions and medical support.
Court’s position
Defense’s position
Medical treatment
Court’s position
The court said Aggarwal’s conditions could be treated within the jail premises and were not life-threatening.
Defense’s position
Her counsel argued that her serious blood infection, low blood pressure and other conditions required continued care outside prison.
Crowded conditions
Court’s position
The court said jail authorities could take precautions and provide a suitable environment for an immunocompromised prisoner.
Defense’s position
The defense argued that the medical advice to avoid crowded places could not be reconciled with confinement in a prison barrack.
Temporary release
Court’s position
The court denied the requested six-week extension of interim bail.
Defense’s position
Aggarwal sought an extension of her earlier four-week interim bail on medical and humanitarian grounds.
Key facts
- Accused
- Dr Vatsala Aggarwal, Neeraj Chopra and Dr Vinod Kumar Ranga
- Case value
- Alleged Rs 700-crore medical supplies procurement fraud
- Earlier bail
- Four weeks of interim bail granted on humanitarian grounds on August 18
- Reported conditions
- Chronic bronchial asthma with community-acquired infection, mixed sleep apnea, type II diabetes and hypertension
- Court’s finding
- The illnesses were not life-threatening and could be treated inside jail
- Required support
- Adaptive Servo Ventilation with nocturnal oxygen therapy, as needed
- Case origin
- A Vigilance Department complaint was converted into an FIR on June 2
Quotes
Special Judge Vidya Prakash
Rouse Avenue Court judge who denied the interim-bail extension
“There is no substance in the argument raised on behalf of applicant/accused that she has been directed to avoid crowded places in view of her immunocompromised status, and thus, it would be difficult for her to avoid crowds inside the jail premises, if her interim bail is not extended.”
indianexpress.com
“A careful perusal of Discharge Summary…would show that she is not suffering from any life-threatening disease and she can very well be treated with such medical ailments inside the jail premises itself.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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