HC raps Maha govt, ED over Hasan Ali's medical condition

Mumbai, Jun 7: The Bombay High Court on Monday, June 6 rapped the Maharashtra government and the Enforcement Directorate for their alleged callous approach towards the health of Pune- based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, accused of tax evasion and money laundering.

Hasan was taken to state-run J J Hospital last week following direction from the high court on a petition filed by him seeking immediate medical attention for ailments like diabetes, liver cirrhosis and partial renal problems he claimed to have been suffering from.

J J hospital filed a report before the court stating that Hasan's condition is fine and stable and hence his admission there is not necessary.

"How can J J hospital say (that) Hasan is fine when doctors from state-run St George Hospital say that he needs urgent treatment. Hasan was taken to St George by the ED when he was in their custody," Hasan's lawyer I A Bagaria argued.

"Isn't it ED's responsibility to assure that Hasan is kept in good health? The agency might require him later for investigations. We need to see to it that he is healthy," a division bench of justices B H Marlapalle and U D Salvi observed.

The bench has now directed the authorities of Arthur Road jail, where Hasan is currently lodged, to take him to St Georges hospital tomorrow.

"We direct the superintendent of St George Hospital to ensure all medical tests are carried out and in case if required he may be hospitalised," Justice Marlapalle remarked.

PTI