Condition of Pak prisoner attacked in Jammu jail critical

Chandigarh, May 4: The condition of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who was injured in a scuffle with another inmate in Jammu jail, remained critical today. Sanaullah is on a "ventilator, remains unconsicious and is on dopamine and noradrenaline infusions to maintain his blood pressure", sources at the Post Graduate Institue of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) said.

Sanaullah was brought to PGIMER last evening from Jammu after being airlifted from there. The 52-year-old prisoner had been first rushed to Jammu's Government Medical College and Hospital. Upon his arrival here, the PGIMER said Sanaullah was checked by neurosurgeons at the Jammu hospital, "who detected head injuries with a large fracture.

CT scan showed multiple contusions with severe brain edema (brain capillaries damaged due to head injury)." He is being looked after by a team of neurosurgeons and other doctors at PGIMER's Trauma ICU, where security has been tigthened with attendants of some patients complaining about inconvenience being faced by them.

According to PGIMER, Sanaullah's urine output appears to be adequate and further treatment "including neurosurgical intervention will depend on his stabilisation and neurological status". Earlier today, a team of Pakistani High Commission officials visited Sanaullah at PGIMER after India granted consular access to them last night.

The sources said that the officials again visited PGIMER and were in touch with the doctors there to seek regular update on the prisoner's condition. Sanuallah is serving a life term after being convicted under TADA provisions following his arrest in 1999.

Two prison officials including jail superintendent Rajni Sehgal have been suspended by the Jammu and Kashmir government in connection with the assault.

India grants consular access to Pak on daily basis

India today granted consular access on daily basis to Pakistan officials to visit Sanaullah Ranjay, who was injured in a scuffle with another inmate in Jammu jail and has been admitted to a Chandigarh hospital.

Earlier, a team of Pakistan High Commission officials had met Sanaullah at PGI Chandigarh

"We have given Pakistan High Commission officials consular access on daily basis. They can visit Sanaullah once in a day. They will also be briefed twice a day on the condition of the prisoner," Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said here.

He also said there was no change in the condition of Sanaullah. He remains serious but there is no worsening of his condition, the spokesperson said.

Pakistan High Commission officials had visited the injured prisoner at the hospital at 3:30am and had also met the attending doctor.

"The doctors have given a very pessimistic prognosis of Sanaullah's recovery or survival and rule out prospects of his medical evacuation," Pakistan High Commissioner Press officer said here.

"Pakistan High Commissioner officers are in Chandigarh and are maintaining contact with the doctors," he said, adding "medical condition shows that Sanaullah was subjected to multiple brutal assaults of unspeakable savagery in the Jammu Jail, which is a matter of deep concern".

India had granted consular access to Pakistani High Commission officials last night. They had also given travel permission to three officials and a driver.

Sanaullah was injured during a scuffle with another inmate in Jammu jail where he was serving life term after being convicted under TADA provisions. He was arrested in 1999.

A resident of Sialkot in Pakistan, Sanaullah was immediately shifted from high-security Kot Balwal jail to Government Medical College Hospital and later rushed to PGIMR in Chandigarh in an air ambulance after doctors said his condition was critical.

PTI