HC Asks Govt To Ensure Complete Treatment To Faktoo

Source: menafn.com

(MENAFN – Kashmir Observer) SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday directed authorities to ensure complete medical treatment and assistance is given to the incarcerated Muslim Deeni Mahaz Patron, Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo, as and when he complains of any medical problem.

A bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar also left it open for the Director General of Prisons to take a view regarding shifting Faktoo’s shifting to the Central Jail Jammu from Udhampur.

The court passed the directions after hearing Faktoo through video conferencing on June 4 and after perusing a report from the office of the Director General of Prisons in a sealed cover. 

‘Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, interacting with the applicant as well as having perused his medical record and after hearing Mr. Harish Kotwal, Superintendent, District Jail, Udhampur, who was present on Video Conferencing on 04.06.2019, we have seen that the applicant is being given the medical treatment as and when he has requested the same,’ the court said.

Advocate Mian Qayoom, Faktoo’s counsel said submitted that his client is suffering from certain Orthopedic problems in his back for which he may need certain expert care which is not readily available in the District Jail, Udhampur.

‘In view thereof, we pass the following directions: (i) The respondents 9officials) shall ensure that complete medical treatment and assistance is given to the applicant (Faktoo) as and when he complains of any medical problem.’

If Faktoo complains of medical problem for which treatment cannot be arranged at District Jail, Udhampur, the officials shall ensure that he is taken to the nearest available Medical Health Centre/Hospital as would be feasible, the court said. However, the court said Faktoo shall be taken to the hospital by keeping in view the security concerns, ensuring that the treatment which is required by Faktoo is made available to him.

‘We leave it open to the Director General of Prisons to take a view on the submission which was made by Mr. Qayoom, which has been recorded in our last order dated 30.05.2019 with regard to shifting of the applicant to the Central Jail, Jammu,’ the court said.