VARAVARA RAO SEEKS SIX-MONTH BAIL EXTENSION

MUMBAI: Elgar Parishad accused P Varavara Rao, in his application before the Bombay high court (HC) seeking extension of his medical bail, has informed that the neurological problem he faced while he was in Taloja jail, has further deteriorated. He said he has started suffering from memory loss due to lacunar infarcts in six major lobes of the brain. The application further states that the urinary tract infection which the 84-year-old suffered from, has also not improved and he requires a hernia operation, all of which would result in further aggravation of his condition if he were asked to surrender to Taloja jail. Rao was granted bail in February and was released in March, for six months.

The application for an extension, which was scheduled for hearing on Friday, September 3 before the bench of justice SS Shinde and justice NJ Jamadar, could not be heard due to a paucity of time. Senior advocate Anand Grover for Rao had sought an urgent hearing as the bail period was expiring on Sunday and Rao had to surrender to Taloja prison. After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) gave an oral assurance that they would not take coercive action the court had posted the hearing to Monday. Referring to Rao’s medical condition, the application states that he has been going for regular medical check-ups to Nanavati Hospital where he had been shifted for the purpose of treatment prior to getting bail based on the HC order.

The application states that Rao has been having bouts of headaches since his release and the neurologists at Nanavati Hospital suspect it to be a neurological problem.