Bombay HC issues notice to JJ Dean

Mumbai: A notice has been issued by the Bombay High Court to Dr. TP Lahane, Dean JJ Hospital seeking his reply in the criminal contempt matter relating to the management and treatment of NCP leader Chaggan Bhujbal, who had been under the care at JJ hospital from October 28 to November 2, 2016.

This comes after a PMLA Court found Dr Lahane to be guilty of letting NCP leader overstay in Bombay Hospital and out of the Judicial custody. The matter was then reffered to the Bombay High court, which has provided Dr Lahane 4 weeks time to respond to the notice.

It is reported that Bhujbal who is presently in judicial custody on allegations of money laundering, was being interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate at the time .He was admitted to the JJ Hospital, with health complaints, prior to being shifted by Dr. Lahane to the Bombay Hospital, where he stayed for more than month.

In a complaint filed with Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court , activist Anjali Damania alleged that the JJ dean had been instrumental in having Bhujbal shift from JJ Hospital to Bombay Hospital. On January 13, the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court Judge, P.R. Bhavake while hearing the matter said, “The application of Anjali Damania is allowed, and dean of J.J Hospital is held guilty of contempt of this court’s order. This matter shall be referred to Bombay High Court for contempt proceedings."

Accordingly, the matter came up in the High Court. Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai issued the notice to Dr. Lahane asking him to file a reply within four weeks. Speaking to The Asian Age, Lahane said, “I did not get a copy of notice, when I receive it I will inform the court.”

Ms. Damania’s application in the PMLA court earlier, stated that the court had granted permission to Bhujbal to undergo only three tests-Holter Scan, Electrophysiological Studies and Thallium Scan

Her contention was that all these procedures could have been done in Out Patient Department (OPD) and did not require admission of a patient in the hospital for more than 48 hours. However, Dr Lahane admitted Bhujbal in J.J Hospital from October 28 to November 2 and then referred him to Bombay Hospital so that he could undergo medical tests.

"Bhujbal was to be taken out of JJ hospital for only one test which would have taken only a few hours. But Dr T P Lahane discharged him from government hospital and since then Bhujbal was staying at the Bombay hospital for over a month in two large suites that he was occupying with his family and friends visiting him unhindered," said activist Anjali Damania to the India Today.

The test was long done and the reports are also available, but Bhujbal was never called back to either jail or to the JJ hospital, until activist Anjali Damania filed a complaint against Lahane and jail superintendent for violating court orders in the special PMLA court.

In the court, Lahane had filed a written affidavit stating that there was no professional misconduct from his side and it was for the jail authorities to decide where they had to take Bhujbal. He stated that Bhujbal was discharged from JJ hospital on November 2 which ended his responsibility.