Arrested activists being systematically denied medical treatment: Kin

mumbai: The family members of those arrested in Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case on Saturday claimed they have been "systematically" denied medical treatment and alleged activist Vernon Gonsalves condition was yet another act of "criminal negligence" of prison authorities. Gonsalves, arrested for his alleged role in the

case, was recently admitted to the state-run JJ hospital, with his lawyer stating that

he had been diagnosed with dengue and was on oxygen support.

In a press note issued during the day, the kin of these arrested activists sought state intervention in the functioning of prison authorities to ensure speedy treatment to all "political prisoners."

Citing Gonsalves' condition, the press note claimed medical treatment was delayed and said it was yet another act of criminal negligence on the part of authorities of Taloja Central Jail, where he was lodged.

"Gonsalves (65) had fever on August 30, and even though his condition was steadily deteriorating, he was treated with just paracetamol and antibiotics in jail for almost a week. After much pleading, he was taken to JJ hospital on September 7 and was given oxygen support, the note said.

"However, instead of continuing his treatment, he was callously brought back to jail where his condition continued to worsen. It is only after his lawyer and wife, Susan Abraham, approached the court and obtained an order that the prison authorities finally admitted him in the emergency ward of JJ hospital, where he is still under treatment, it added.

The press note cited the recent deaths of several undertrial prisoners, including Father Stan Swamy, after allegedly being denied prompt medical attention.

"It has barely been a year since Father Stan Swamy, also an accused in the Elgar case, passed away while still a prisoner after being denied prompt treatment following COVID-19. Similarly, it was only very recently that we heard the shocking news of the death of Pandu Narote, a 33-year-old Adivasi, in Nagpur jail where he was convicted under various UAPA charges for having Maoist links," note claimed.

Narote's lawyer has also alleged his death was caused due to gross negligence by the prison authorities, the

note alleged.