From Red Spark
Political Prisoner Varavara Rao Back In Jail After Discharge From Hospital
Political Prisoner Varavara Rao, 81, one of the accused arrested by
the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Elgar Parishad case, was
discharged from Nanavati Hospital on Thursday afternoon. Rao was
admitted on July 19 after he tested positive for Covid-19. He has been
taken back to Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai where he was earlier lodged.
Deepak Pandey, inspector general (south region prisons), has confirmed
the development.
Rao was first taken to JJ Hospital on May 28 after he fell unconscious, but was discharged on June 1. The family had alleged that Rao was discharged in a hurried manner to obstruct his bail plea.
“He was not normal at the time of discharge. While Sodium normal range was 134-145, he attained only 133 and potassium normal range was 3.5 to 5.0, he attained only 3.55, according to the hospital record. But, later on June 2 it was proved that all this – admission in hospital, getting a normal report, getting him discharged – was part of conspiracy by the police.
“June 2 was the date of hearing on his bail application on health grounds in the NIA Special Sessions Court and police argued against his bail showing this hospital “normal” report. The judge accepted that and refused bail on June 26,” read a statement from the family.
Rao continued to show signs of delirium and after voices were raised from various quarters Rao was admitted to JJ Hospital again on July 13. After he tested positive for Covid-19 he was shifted to St George’s Hospital.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also intervened and issued notices to the Maharashtra government asking it to ensure Rao is taken care of and adequate medical facilities are arranged. It also asked for a report on Rao’s health.
The commission observed that the right to life and medical care is one of the basic human rights and the state is duty bound to provide the same to a prisoner as well.
The state has been directed to constitute a medical board to examine Rao’s health, provide him the best possible treatment and bear the cost for the same.Rao was then moved to Nanavati hospital for treatment.
Rao was first taken to JJ Hospital on May 28 after he fell unconscious, but was discharged on June 1. The family had alleged that Rao was discharged in a hurried manner to obstruct his bail plea.
“He was not normal at the time of discharge. While Sodium normal range was 134-145, he attained only 133 and potassium normal range was 3.5 to 5.0, he attained only 3.55, according to the hospital record. But, later on June 2 it was proved that all this – admission in hospital, getting a normal report, getting him discharged – was part of conspiracy by the police.
“June 2 was the date of hearing on his bail application on health grounds in the NIA Special Sessions Court and police argued against his bail showing this hospital “normal” report. The judge accepted that and refused bail on June 26,” read a statement from the family.
Rao continued to show signs of delirium and after voices were raised from various quarters Rao was admitted to JJ Hospital again on July 13. After he tested positive for Covid-19 he was shifted to St George’s Hospital.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also intervened and issued notices to the Maharashtra government asking it to ensure Rao is taken care of and adequate medical facilities are arranged. It also asked for a report on Rao’s health.
The commission observed that the right to life and medical care is one of the basic human rights and the state is duty bound to provide the same to a prisoner as well.
The state has been directed to constitute a medical board to examine Rao’s health, provide him the best possible treatment and bear the cost for the same.Rao was then moved to Nanavati hospital for treatment.
Tirupati Member of Legislative Assembly Demands Release Of Political Prisoner Varavara Rao
TIRUPATI: The ruling dispositions at the centre and
in the state have been flexing muscles with one another over the release
of Viplava Rachayithala Sangham (Revolutionary Writer’s Association)
member Varavara Rao, who remains a political prisoner jailed at a prison
at Maharashtra.
It may be recalled that the Tirupati MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Bhumana Karunakar Reddy had recently addressed a letter to the Vice President of India, seeking the release of Varavara Rao from the prison, citing his age and medical conditions.
BJP’s AP affairs in-charge Sunil Deodhar took to Twitter on Saturday, demanding AP CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy to suspend Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy for making such a request.
In his tweet, Deodhar referred to Varavara Rao as a hardcore Naxalite involved in the planning of the assassination of the prime minister. “While Jagan posted photos of his meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi, his party MLA Karunakar Reddy wrote a letter to vice president Venkaiah Naidu, seeking his intervention for the release of Varavara Rao. Jagan should apologize to the public for what his party MLA did and should take action against Karunakar Reddy,” Sunil Deodhar had tweeted.
In a strong counter to Sunil Deodhar’s tweet, Tirupati legislator shot off a letter directly addressed to the BJP’s AP affairs in-charge, strongly reiterating his demand for the release of Varavara Rao yet again.
Underlining that his appeal to Vice President of India was in a personal capacity, Karunakar Reddy found fault with Sunil Deodhar for linking up CM YS Jagan to the issue.
“My appeal to the Vice President of India was to consider 81 year old Varavara Rao’s case on humanitarian grounds and intervene for his release. Along with Venkaiah Naidu, Varavara Rao and me stayed together in the jail about 46 years ago. That is why I wrote to the VP in a personal capacity. Apart from me, many scholars, writers etc have also written open letters, seeking the release of Varavara Rao, should they all be banished from the country?,” Karunakar Reddy questioned Sunil Deodhar.
Varavara Rao was arrested by the Maharashtra police on charges of involvement in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case along with some other human right activists.
It may be recalled that the Tirupati MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Bhumana Karunakar Reddy had recently addressed a letter to the Vice President of India, seeking the release of Varavara Rao from the prison, citing his age and medical conditions.
BJP’s AP affairs in-charge Sunil Deodhar took to Twitter on Saturday, demanding AP CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy to suspend Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy for making such a request.
In his tweet, Deodhar referred to Varavara Rao as a hardcore Naxalite involved in the planning of the assassination of the prime minister. “While Jagan posted photos of his meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi, his party MLA Karunakar Reddy wrote a letter to vice president Venkaiah Naidu, seeking his intervention for the release of Varavara Rao. Jagan should apologize to the public for what his party MLA did and should take action against Karunakar Reddy,” Sunil Deodhar had tweeted.
In a strong counter to Sunil Deodhar’s tweet, Tirupati legislator shot off a letter directly addressed to the BJP’s AP affairs in-charge, strongly reiterating his demand for the release of Varavara Rao yet again.
Underlining that his appeal to Vice President of India was in a personal capacity, Karunakar Reddy found fault with Sunil Deodhar for linking up CM YS Jagan to the issue.
“My appeal to the Vice President of India was to consider 81 year old Varavara Rao’s case on humanitarian grounds and intervene for his release. Along with Venkaiah Naidu, Varavara Rao and me stayed together in the jail about 46 years ago. That is why I wrote to the VP in a personal capacity. Apart from me, many scholars, writers etc have also written open letters, seeking the release of Varavara Rao, should they all be banished from the country?,” Karunakar Reddy questioned Sunil Deodhar.
Varavara Rao was arrested by the Maharashtra police on charges of involvement in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case along with some other human right activists.
Political Prisoner Varavara Rao’s Neurological Status Remains Unstable
The Bombay high court (HC) has highlighted that a part of the medical
report of political prisoner Varavara Rao from Nanavati Hospital, where
he was admitted for treatment Covid-19 and other co-morbidities, has
stated that though Rao’s electrolyte levels have normalized, his
neurological status is unstable as he is still disoriented in his talks.
The report further states that depending on Rao’s condition and as per
hospital protocols, they would permit Rao’s family to speak to him over
video call. Meanwhile, the family and lawyer of the poet and political
prisoner, who has been arrested in the Elgar Parishad case, are yet to
receive the medical report of the octogenarian.
While hearing the petition filed by Rao seeking bail on grounds of his health condition, a bench of justice AA Sayed and justice Abhay Ahuja, on August 17, had directed the court administration to hand over Rao’s medical report from Nanavati Hospital to his family and his lawyer as well as to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, none of them received the reports as of Friday evening.
In its order published on Thursday night, the bench has reproduced a paragraph of the medical report which states that Rao’s health condition with regards to reduced electrolyte levels has improved but he is still incoherent while talking. It reads, “Prognosis: Mr P Varavara Rao’s persistent hyponatremia has improved after sodium correction but neurological status has not improved clinically as he is still disoriented with irrelevant talks. He is maintaining saturation on room air; his respiratory system has not shown abnormal signs as of now but has paroxysmal bouts of cough especially during feeding. As on date, considering the co-morbid factors of age, persistent hyponatremia in Covid-19 case, the patient will require close monitoring.”
According to sources in the HC, the report is expected to be handed over to Rao’s family and lawyer by Monday.
Rao was first admitted to Sir JJ Hospital in July after he lost consciousness while in Taloja jail. Later he tested positive for Covid-19 and was shifted to St George Hospital on July 16. However, he fell from the cot during treatment and was subsequently shifted to Nanavati Hospital on July 19 for neurological treatment.
While hearing the petition filed by Rao seeking bail on grounds of his health condition, a bench of justice AA Sayed and justice Abhay Ahuja, on August 17, had directed the court administration to hand over Rao’s medical report from Nanavati Hospital to his family and his lawyer as well as to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). However, none of them received the reports as of Friday evening.
In its order published on Thursday night, the bench has reproduced a paragraph of the medical report which states that Rao’s health condition with regards to reduced electrolyte levels has improved but he is still incoherent while talking. It reads, “Prognosis: Mr P Varavara Rao’s persistent hyponatremia has improved after sodium correction but neurological status has not improved clinically as he is still disoriented with irrelevant talks. He is maintaining saturation on room air; his respiratory system has not shown abnormal signs as of now but has paroxysmal bouts of cough especially during feeding. As on date, considering the co-morbid factors of age, persistent hyponatremia in Covid-19 case, the patient will require close monitoring.”
According to sources in the HC, the report is expected to be handed over to Rao’s family and lawyer by Monday.
Rao was first admitted to Sir JJ Hospital in July after he lost consciousness while in Taloja jail. Later he tested positive for Covid-19 and was shifted to St George Hospital on July 16. However, he fell from the cot during treatment and was subsequently shifted to Nanavati Hospital on July 19 for neurological treatment.
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