New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) The wife of activist-poet Dr P Varavara Rao has moved the Supreme Court for immediate release of her 81-year-old husband on medical grounds as he remains lodged in Maharashtra jail in alleged connection in Bhima Koregaon violence.

Pendeya Hemlatha, filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution (violation of Fundamental Right) through senior advocate Sunil Fernandes.

The plea stated that continued detention of Dr Rao is a violation of Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) and amounts to inhuman and cruel treatment.

The petition also mentioned that the accused is more than 80-year-old and suffers from cormobilities, making it more unsafe to keep him in jail during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Hamlatha stated that she received a letter on September 9, 2020 from another accused Vernon Gonsalves which stated that her husband's health condition is not normal and he is suffering from urinary problems. Dr Rao is bed-ridden and using a catheter urine bag to discharge, she said and added that he has lost almost 18 kilograms of weights.

The petition further points out that as the charges against the accused are yet to be framed, he can still get a bail on medical grounds even if he is booked under stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act or National Investigations Act.

Dr Rao has been under custody since August 2018. He has been named as an accused in Bhima Koregaon violence.

UNI PS JAL 1950