2 days ago

Bombay High Court Grants Medical Bail After Dangerous Weight Loss

Bombay High Court Grants Medical Bail After Dangerous Weight Loss
Bombay High Court grants bail to 59-year-old undertrial who lost 21 kg in 48 days · indianexpress.com

A 59-year-old man was in jail while waiting for his criminal trial.

He became much thinner, losing 21 kilograms in only 48 days.

He had recently undergone major stomach surgery and needed a special liquid or semi-liquid diet.

He also had several other health problems that required specialist doctors.

The court learned that some prison medical facilities could not provide the care he needed.

The prosecution said the jail hospital could treat him, but the court disagreed.

It said staying in custody could make his health much worse.

The court therefore allowed him to leave custody on medical bail, with rules requiring him to cooperate with the investigation.

Key facts

Age
59 years
Weight loss
21 kilograms in 48 days
Gastric surgery
80% of the stomach was removed; a liquid or semi-liquid diet was prescribed
Medical conditions
Type-I autoimmune pancreatitis, liver disease, tuberculosis, and a pituitary gland problem requiring steroids
Hospitals
The man had been admitted to five hospitals after his arrest
Medical facilities cited
Sassoon General Hospital and the jail hospital lacked requisite specialists; he was later brought to KEM Hospital and JJ Hospital
Bail conditions
He must cooperate with the investigation and provide information sought by the investigating officer; hospital or home visits may occur with due notice

Quotes

Justice Milind N Jadhav

Bombay High Court judge who presided over the medical bail application

“It is seen that he (man) lost 21 kilograms of body weight in a span of 48 days of incarceration which by itself is alarming and dangerous to health under normal circumstances let alone the dire medical circumstances within which applicant finds himself in the present case”
indianexpress.com
“These requirements can only be met if the applicant receives treatment at a hospital of his choice and/or his home where he is well taken care of, away from an infection-related environment if he is to stand trial”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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