SC rejects bail for 1984 riots accused Sajjan
He is accused of a series of heinous crimes and you want him to be treated as a super VIP patient... SUPREME COURT BENCH
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused bail to Delhi Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar on medical grounds, and reminded the former Congress leader that he cannot be treated as a VIP patient who gets a hospital of his choice as he was in custody for heinous offences.
Kumar, 77, had sought bail claiming that his condition was critical and that he collapsed in jail, after which he underwent treatment in the emergency intensive care unit at Safdarjung Hospital.
On Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a response to the bail plea and said Kumar’s medical condition was stable and he was improving.
The bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundresh said, “The medical report shows the appellant is being fully attended to. Even medical board was constituted. His condition is stated to be stable and improving, and needs further hospitalisation.
We are not willing to grant medical bail or bail otherwise.”
Appearing for Kumar, senior advocate Ranjeet Kumar said his client lost 17kg and required urgent medical attention. He urged the court that on his personal expense, the appellant be shifted to Medanta Hospital.
The court remarked, “You are feeling as if he is the only patient to be treated in the country. He is accused of a series of heinous crimes and you want him to be treated as a super VIP patient, that we won’t permit.”
Kumar told the court that another bail petition of his is already pending in the court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, told the court that Kumar’s bail plea was listed, heard and rejected by the court after a medical board was constituted by AIIMS in March last year.
The bench said, “A picture was portrayed before us as if he is on his last leg. We find these ailments are due to advanced age.” The court told Kumar’s counsel, “You are not out of prison that you will get the benefit you want. Merely because you are a high profile person does not mean that this court will keep hearing your bail petitions.”
Kumar has been incarcerated for the past 31 months.