Even A Convict Entitled To Best Medical Treatment, Conviction Doesn't Dilute Constitutional Rights: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that even a convict is entitled to the best of medical treatment. The Court also observed that conviction does not dilute either convict's constitutional rights or basic human rights.

"We are certain that the State is not oblivious of the settled law that even a convict is entitled to the best of the medical treatment and the conviction does not in any manner dilute either the constitutional rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India or then the basic human rights, one of the facet of which is that the convict receives appropriate treatment.", the Bench of Justice Anil L. Pansare and Justice Rohit B. Deo observed.

The Court was dealing with an application preferred by one Prashant Rahi Narayan Sanglikar-appellant who is lodged at Amravati Central Prison.

In the application, it was averred that the appellant was suffering from several medical issues like abdominal pain with loose motions and involuntarily vomiting therefore it was contended that he was in urgent need of examination by Gastroenterologist.

The application was affirmed by the daughter of the appellant. Advocate Barun Kumar was the counsel for the applicant.

The Court requested Additional Public Prosecutor V.A. Thakare to immediately contact the Jail Medical Officer and to report to the medical status of the appellant.

APP, V.A. Thakare stated that the Jail Medical Officer assured him that a General Surgeon will be visiting the Jail to examine the appellant, and that every suggestion given by the surgeon shall be immediately implemented.

The Court noted thus "We note that the appeal is already fixed for hearing on 12-9-2022. We expect the State to file on record the medical status report of the appellant on the next date of hearing."

Cause Title- Prashant Rahi Narayan Sanglikar v State of Maharashtra

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