An inmate has been awaiting an MRI scan for 4 months
It is the ‘dreaded ones’ who dwell in Arthur Road Jail, but they whimper when they fall ill — be it ordinary cold or fever, or some other serious illnesses, which require MRI scan or CT scan.
There is a near complete collapse of medical facilities, complain the undertrials. The jail, which currently houses 3,000 prisoners, have just three doctors attending on them.
Worse off are some prisoners, who despite court orders, are still awaiting proper medical care. For instance, Anjum Fazlani, an accused under the MCOCA, has been waiting for an MRI scan for the past four months.
Fazlani, an alleged aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, was brought in from Dubai in June for his alleged involvement in the Bharat Shah case. His advocate Jayesh Vithnani said that they had first moved an application in court last November, requesting for an MRI scan. But, in spite of thrice being directed by the court, the jail authorities haven’t yet arranged for Fazlani being taken to JJ Hospital for the test.
“The inaction on part of the jail authorities amounts to contempt of court. March 18 has been set as deadline by the court for getting the MRI scan done,” said Vithnani.
Recently, several accused arrested for their alleged involvement in the 11/7 suburban train blasts, complained to the court about the lack of medical facilities. Several prisoners, whom DNA spoke with while they were being produced in court, said that the jail doctors were often absent.
“For every illness, be it headache or fever, there is a standard yellow pill that is given,” said Mohd Shaikh (name changed), mocking the medical facilities.
Another undertrial, who is being tried for murdering his wife, has observed a pattern. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that most of the mornings, jail staff were busy taking prisoners to court. “It is noon by the time they are through with it. The doctors, particularly the specialists, in the prison ward at JJ Hospital leave by that time. So we never get the medical treatment that is required.”
Jail authorities refuted the charges. “Often the prisoners fake illnesses. But whenever there is a genuine case, we ensure that he gets proper medical care,” said a jail official.
