Dec 16 gang-rape case: Another accused complains of ill health

New Delhi: A second accused in the December 16 gang-rape case on Monday complained in a special court that he has been unwell for past few days. Pawan Gupta, who throughout the proceedings was seen sitting with his head down, filed a plea before Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna saying he is feeling feverish for the last few days and blood was also oozing from his nose since yesterday morning.

"I have perused the report dated May 25 received from jail authorities confirming this fact. He suffered this problem, even while appearing before this court. "It would be appropriate if he be provided with proper treatment. In case, the jail doctors do feel it necessary, he may be sent to LNJP Hospital, Delhi, for evaluation and treatment," the judge said. Vinay Sharma, another accused, is already undergoing treatment in a government hospital here. Gupta in his application filed through his lawyer also said that he needs immediate medical treatment as the jail hospital is not able to give him proper medicine. "Accused Gupta needs immediate medical treatment....It seems that treatment given in the jail is not sufficient to cure the ailment of accused," the counsel for Gupta said. Gupta also left the court inbetween the proceedings as his nose started bleeding in front of the judge, who directed the police personnel present in the court to take him to the Saket court complex dispensary. Four accused - Vinay, Mukesh, Pawan and Akshay Thakur - are facing trial in the gangrape and murder of 23-year-old paramedical student and attack on her friend on the night of December 16. The girl died of her injuries on December 29 last year at a Singapore hospital. Meanwhile, the court asked the Tihar Jail authorities to file latest medical report of Vinay, who is admitted since May 4 in a hospital here after he complained of high fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers. "Though the report of accused Vinay Sharma was called for but the jail superintendent, yet again, has sent the medical report dated May 16. "Let a latest medical report from the hospital be sent to this court by tomorrow, by the jail superintendent," the court said. Vinay`s medical problems had first started on April 4 when he suffered a fracture in his hand. The accused was again hospitalised on May 4 here after he complained of high fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers. Out of six accused, Ram Singh was found hanging in his prison cell in Tihar on March 11 and consequently, the trial against him was abated. The juvenile accused in the case is facing a separate trial before a Juvenile Justice Board. The court, meanwhile, recorded the statement of a police official, who was incharge of the godown where seized articles related to the case were submitted. The counsel for accused claimed during cross-examination of the official that he had manipulated the entry registered at the instance of his senior officers. The allegation, however, was refuted by the cop who said, "It is wrong to suggest that the dates were deliberately not mentioned below my signature to fill up the lacuna later or that all other entries of the case bear the dates below my signature. "It is wrong to suggest that I had noted the entries at the instance of the investigating officer as per his whims and fancies," the witness deposed in the court. PTI