New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday came down heavily on Tihar Jail authorities for not taking any step against Nitish Katara murder case convicts Vikas and Vishal Yadav`s numerous "unwarranted" visits to various hospitals from jail and their long stays there. "One of the convicts (Vishal) remained hospitalised at Batra hospital for nearly three-and-half months for nothing and you (jail authorities) did not take any action," said a bench of justices Gita Mittal and V K Shali. The bench was not convinced with the plea of Tihar Jail authorities that Vishal was being taken to Batra Hospital in pursuance of an earlier direction of the high court for taking him to the private hospital for check up at his own expenses.
"What had stopped you from seeking a review of that order? The court asked, adding that all the inmates should be taken to the same hospital for treatment of a similar kind of ailments.
During the arguments, the counsel for Neelam Katara, mother of victim Nitish, said, "Vishal remained hospitalized from February 25 to June 4, 2009 at Batra Hospital following complaints of stomach disorder and was being administered Flagyl tablet."
"We just wanted to see as to what treatment was given to the convicts? We also want to know when did the state act?," the bench said.
The bench, meanwhile, took on records the health reports, filed by AIIMS following the examination of Vikas and Vishal by a medical board as per the court`s earlier direction.
The court also asked its registry to prepare two separate documents, based on medical reports and keep the originals in sealed covers to be produced before it on demand.
PTI