Varavara Rao’s Case Fixed for Physical Court Tomorrow After Technical Glitches Mar Video Hearing

The Bombay High Court was on Tuesday forced to adjourn the hearing of a plea seeking the release of Dr. Varavara Rao on medical grounds, after technical glitches marred the hearing.

A bench of Justices SS Shinde and Madhav J Jamdar fixed the matter for hearing tomorrow in a physical court after senior advocate Indira Jaising, for the petitioner, submitted that she was willing to argue the case in physical court as she did not intend to delay the hearing.

Justice SS Shinde and Justice Madhav J Jamdar.

Referring to the medical report submitted by jail authorities pursuant to the court’s previous order, Jaising said not only was it an incomplete report, the reports of the alleged medical tests conducted had not been annexed.

Alleging a breach of the court’s order, Jaising added that neither the neurologist nor urologists had examined Dr. Rao.

“The video consultation only lasted for 15 minutes. How can they determine in such a span if he is fit or not?” Jaising asked.

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising.

“The report, which is submitted to you now, is an eyewash. I am earnestly requesting he be moved to Nanavati hospital so that a proper medical report can be submitted to you. We have been saying he is suffering from dementia, where is the report on that?” Jaising queried.

The court was hearing the plea filed by Pendyala Hemalatha, the wife of Dr Varavara Rao, alleging violation of the right to life, dignity and health of her husband on account of the ‘degrading’ and ‘inhumane’ treatment being meted out to Dr. Rao in Tajolia jail.

The plea stated that Dr. Rao was completely bedridden in jail in diapers and a urinary bag with two co-accused as his 24-hour attendants who were not medically trained persons. This, the plea, stated had caused him to suffer from further urinary infection and added to his medical woes.

It was also considering the bail application on medical grounds.

The High Court on November 12 ordered a medical examination of Dr. Varavara Rao through video by the doctors of Nanavati hospital to gauge the present medical health of Dr. Rao, whose condition, according to his wife, had been deteriorating.

The court also said if the doctors were of the opinion that a physical examination of Dr. Rao would be required, the same would be facilitated by the Talojia jail authorities where he is presently locked-up for his alleged involvement in the Bhima Koregaon case.

The article was originally published in The Leaflet.