The family members of Ranjan Dash, who was arrested by the CBI for his involvement in the chit fund scam, have alleged medical negligence by the Jharpada jail authorities here. Sources close to the family said Dash is suffering from oral cancer and is undergoing treatment at the Acharya Harihar Cancer Research Institute (AHCRI) in Cuttack. As per doctor’s prescription, he needs medical attention. However, the jail authorities are not giving him medicines regularly, they alleged.
The family had moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for its intervention. Despite the NHRC seeking report from the jail authorities twice, they did not provide proper medical care to him and are now shifting him to the Choudwar jail in Cuttack. Meanwhile, the Jharpada jail authorities have moved a petition in the court of Special Chief Judicial Magistrate to relocate Ranjan Dash, owner of chit fund company Swastik India Multi-State Cooperative Society, to the Choudwar jail on health grounds.
The Jharpada jail superintendent jail has stated that from Choudwar jail, a number of patients are undergoing treatment at the AHCRI who are being taken to the hospital quite regularly. If Dash is shifted to the Choudwar jail, it would be convenient for the authorities to provide him medical care. “For this, we have prayed court to relocate him to Choudwar jail,” he added, rejecting the allegation of medical negligence by his family.