HC reserves verdict on Rao's medical bail plea

Saying that life is dearer even for a prisoner and the courts must protect it, senior advocate Indira Jaising on Monday highlighted before the Bombay High Court that her client and Telugu poet-activist Varavara Rao must be given bail on medical grounds since of the 365 days of his arrest, he has spent nearly 149 days in various hospitals.

A bench of Justices Sambhaji Shinde and Manish Pitale has closed the matter for judgment and till then has allowed the jailed activist to continue his stay at the Nanavati Hospital.

Jaising, while seeking a medical bail argued before the judges that his client needs the support of his family and friends since he is suffering from neurological ailments. "He cannot be made to continue in custody till the trial starts as that would take much time to commence. This is a victimless case, he hasn't killed anyone thus he must be given medical bail," she argued.

Senior counsel Anand Grover also appearing for Rao urged the bench to let his client be sent back to his family in Hyderabad, on a trial basis for three months coupled with serious conditions.