HC allows Hany Babu's to be treated at city hospital

Family to foot the bill for his treatment

The Bombay High Court bench of Justices Shahrukh Kathawalla and Surendra Tawade on Wednesday granted Delhi University professor Hany Babu, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Bhima Koregaon case and lodged in Taloja jail since over a year, permission to be treated at Breach Candy hospital at his own cost.

The order came after GT Hospital authorities informed the court that they are not equipped to examine the ophthalmic artery which has developed a block. Yug Chaudhary, advocate appearing for Babu, pointed out that it could be life threatening to him.

Chaudhary also pointed out that Hany Babu had developed acute eye infection on May 3 and the swelling had spread to his cheek and forehead, and that Taloja prison authorities did not take him to a hospital as escorts to take him were not available. Taloja prison authorities also did not have the facility to treat him. Babu was later taken to JJ Hospital where he tested positive for COVID and was later shifted to GT Hospital.

GT Hospital superintendent Dr BG Chikhalkar who attended the hearing via video conferencing told the court that Babu was kept in Ward No 5 of the hospital since May 13. Dr Chikhalkar informed the court that Babu had redness in the left eye but was getting better. The bench then sought to talk to Babu via a phone call. Babu via the phone call told the court that “the eye was slightly better” and was “getting proper treatment” at the hospital.

“The patient cannot be expected to be transferred every time to carry out different tests. And since the family is willing to foot his bill, Hany Babu to be transferred to Breach Candy hospital by tomorrow,” the judge ordered.