SC grants AAP’s Jain six weeks interim bail on medical grounds
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday granted jailed former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds, saying a citizen has a right to receive treatment of his choice in a private hospital at his own expense.
The relief came a day after Jain collapsed in Tihar Jail due to dizziness and was admitted to the ICU of a government hospital. Photos showed the AAP leader on oxygen support.
Jain was claimed to have lost 30 kg while lodged in jail.
The Aam Aadmi Party leader has been in Tihar Jail since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case on May last year.
A vacation bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and PS Narasimha allowed Jain, 58, to undergo treatment in a hospital of his choice and asked him to produce medical records by July 10.
“After hearing learned counsel for the parties, at present there is no reason to disbelieve the Report of GB Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research. We think it appropriate that the citizen is having a right to take treatment of his choice, at his own expenses, in a private hospital.
Therefore, we deem it appropriate to release the petitioner on interim bail on medical grounds for a limited period of six weeks,” the bench said.
The top court also imposed certain conditions like Jain shall not influence or meet the witnesses and not leave the National Capital Region (NCR) without leave of the trial court. It said during the period when he is on interim bail, all relevant treatment papers and documents related to prognoses shall be produced before the apex court. It also asked Jain to stay away from media, including social media.
“The petitioner (Satyendar Jain) shall refrain himself to appear before Print or Electronic Media or any social media platform to give any statement on any issue during the interim bail,” the bench said in its order.
It listed the matter for further hearing on July 10.