Delhi court refuses bail to Sharad Pawar slapper

A Delhi court today refused bail to Harvinder Singh who had slapped NCP leader and Union Minister Sharad Pawar at a function here saying he required further treatment at the hospital as the medical report showed that he was suffering from psychological problem.

"In view of the report received from Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), I am of the considered opinion that at present stage, the accused cannot be admitted to bail as his medical examination by medical board is still pending. Bail application is hereby dismissed at the present stage," Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Jasjeet Kaur said.

The court said that as per the medical report received from IHBAS, Singh is a patient of "bipolar affective disorder" and requires treatment for two-three weeks before he could be examined by the medical board.

The court has directed the Director, IHBAS, to get Singh medically examined from a duly constituted medical board within 10 days and submit the report on December 22.

The court said Singh's "detention" at the hospital was required in the interest of justice though under the provision of the Mental Health Act 1987, a magistrate cannot authorise the detention of allegedly ill person in medical custody pending report by medical officer for a period exceeding 10 days at a stretch.