NHRC seeks report from Bihar Govt on Shahabuddin's health

New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today sought within four weeks a factual report on imprisoned MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's present physical condition from the Bihar Government and the State Inspector General, Prisons.

The Commission asked the State Chief Secretary about the nature of treatment, if any provided to undertrial Shahabuddin, lodged in Siwan jail.

NHRC asked to be informed whether Shahabuddin or anyone on his behalf had moved any other superior court referring his medical condition and denial of proper treatment by the authorities.

It also sought to furnish a copy of the said petition and orders, if any, passed thereon by the government concerned.

The move comes in the wake of a petition presented to NHRC Chairperson Justice A S Anand by Shahabuddin's wife Heena Sahab and others, where they drew the Commission's attention to ''his poor medical condition and denial of treatment to him by jail officials''.

The petitioner alleged that Shahabuddin is an old patient of slip disk and his condition had worsened while being shifted from Bhagalpur jail to Siwan jail.

The petitioner said, ''he is on the verge of collapse leading to paralysis and needs specialised treatment by a neuro surgeon.'' ''On the night of May 10, Siwan SDPO, Jail Superintendent and Armed police entered Shahabuddin's cell and beat him with rifle butts and batons resulting in spinal injuries,'' the petition alleged.

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