Kafeel Khan...

Criticising his detention under the stringent law, Khan’s brother Adil Khan said the government wanted him to “remain quiet”.

“He was not released even after four days of getting bail. The jail authorities first told us that he would be released on Thursday night and then they told us that he would be released on Friday morning at 6 am. At 10 am today (Friday), we were told NSA has been slapped on him,” said his brother.

“All this is happening because Dr Kafeel dared to tell a TV channel that death of children due to encephalitis at BRD Medical College took place this year too, and the UP government has failed to check the same,” he alleged.

Khan shot to limelight after he, along with nine other doctors, was sent to jail in August 2017 after 60 children died at Gorakhpur’s BRD Hospital allegedly due to shortage of oxygen. The arrest came even as he was being feted for using his own resources to try and save the children. He was later released and reportedly given a clean chit but was never reinstated.

Last year, the state government initiated a departmental inquiry against Dr Khan for allegedly spreading false information of the report into the deaths and also for making anti-government statements. tations and the work pressure, he felt bad when the expectations were not fulfilled.

Dharmadhikari said he will continue to live in Mumbai and continue to be associated with law. He may take up arbitration, consultation and teaching as well.

The Bombay HC, as an institution, must remain as it is, he said. “My hope is that the high court remains the same. It stands for the persons who have suffered injustice. It should continue to serve their cause,” he said, adding, “Hope this institution does not bend before the mighty state, the biggest litigant before it.”

Dharmadikari’s daughter is a graduate in industrial psychology and has a post-graduate diploma in human resources. His son is preparing for the entrance examination for a three-year law course.