Saibaba’s docs have Naxalite links, says govt

Nagpur: Six days after Nagpur bench of Bombay high court allowed Naxalite leader Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba to undergo medical test from his choice of doctors, the Maharashtra government on Monday came out with startling revelations that those medicos are allegedly Maoist sympathizers.
While praying for recalling HC’s December 17 order, special public prosecutor (SPP) Prashant Sathianathan demanded that at least two of three doctors named by polio-afflicted professor shouldn’t allowed to meet him.

A vacation bench of justice Ravi Deshpande, while refusing the prosecution’s contentions, laid down stringent conditions on the visiting medicos like communicating only in English and Hindi, their thorough frisking, video graphing the entire process if desired, and presence of two doctors from either the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) or Super Specialty Hospital (SSH).

“This court has already permitted Saibaba’s examination by doctors of his choice. I, therefore, don’t find any reason to recall December 17 order. However, certain additional conditions can be imposed so that the patient’s security is assured and to prevent any untoward incident,” the judge said.

Before disposing of the application, he added that how and in which manner Naxalite leader should be treated or what treatment is to be provided to him, would be decided later.

In last hearing, the HC allowed three doctors named by Saibaba to examine him. They included senior resident doctor at AIIMS’ Department of Geriatric Medicine — Dr Haji Bhatti, along with neurosurgeon at Kazipet — Dr N Prasad, and interventional cardiologist at Spandana Hospital in Khamam — Dr Gopinath, both in Telangana.

A division bench comprising justices Pradip Deshmukh and Swapna Joshi allowed the wheelchair-bound professor’s wife Vasantha Kumari and brother G Ramadevudu to accompany him during the entire procedure, scheduled on Wednesday. While directing both sides to complete formalities by 3.30pm on same day, the judges told prosecution to make transportation arrangements for Delhi University teacher with elaborate security.

Earlier, Sathianathan claimed that Dr Gopinath is a Naxalite sympathizer while Dr Prasad is son-in-law of staunch communist Varavara Rao. While doubting integrity of doctors examining Saibaba, he contended that their vigilance reports were obtained. He pointed out that it wasn’t advisable to get wheelchair-bound professor examined through these doctors.

Additional conditions laid down by HC

Visiting doctors to examine Saibaba one by one in presence of two GMCH/SSH medicos

Would communicate in English/Hindi only, use of code or other languages is prohibited

If it’s thought fit & proper by prosecution, there can be CCTV surveillance & video recording

Saibaba shouldn’t be administered any medicine or conduct any kind of operation/surgery

For clinical examination, instruments & equipment provided by prosecution should only be used

Thorough physical check up of doctors should be done through scanning machine

They shouldn’t be allowed to carry any implements/weapons or drugs inside consulting room

Police personnel to be deployed inside & outside consulting room as per choice of prosecution

Medical examination should be completed within time frame prescribed by this court