The Jharkhand High Court on Friday hearing a PIL related to violation of jail manual by RJD chief Lalu Prasad pulled up the State Government on the report submitted by it and sought a fresh report on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of prisoners lodging outside the jail.
The Court of Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, while hearing the petition also directed Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) administration to submit a detailed report on the health conditions of Bihar’s former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad. A PIL was filed in High Court with a plea to shift Lalu back to Birsa Munda Central Jail, Hotwar alleging that he had violated the jail manual during his stay at RIMS director’s bungalow.
Petitioner’s advocate Manoj Tandon said, “The Court of Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh while hearing the petition expressed displeasure over the report submitted by the IG (Prisons) and directed him to submit revised SOP, duly approved by the Home Secretary.”
The advocate said that the court also observed that the State Government must take High Court orders seriously with the next hearing fixed on February 5. Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Ashutosh Anand asserted that a report was submitted by IG (Prisons) in which the proposed SOP was produced before the court. It was also sent to the Principal Secretary, Department of Home for approval, he further said. “The court has asked the State Government to submit a further report along with approval.”
Meanwhile, in another development Lalu Prasad whose health deteriorated on Thursday has been diagnosed with pneumonia and infections in lungs. A high resolution CT scan of Lalu’s chest was done on Friday. The report will reveal about the percentage of lung infection of RJD chief. If the transition in the report is more visible then they are also ready to shift him to ICU immediately.
On Thursday, Lalu complained of breathing problems following which a rapid antigen and RTPCR test was conducted. The reports of both tests are negative. Meanwhile doctors claimed that Lalu’s health has improved since Friday morning as he is breathing easily. Sugar levels and blood pressure are also controlled.
The doctors at RIMS were on precautionary mode as only 25 per cent of Lalu’s kidney is functioning. Increased sugar level is affecting the kidneys. If it falls further by 10 – 12 per cent, he may need dialysis. Meanwhile, doctors claimed that there is no urgent need to shift Lalu at AIIMS.
Lalu has been undergoing treatment at RIMS for the past 26 months. On Thursday his health deteriorated and he expressed his desire to meet family members. On Friday his elder daughter Misa Bharti reached Ranchi to meet Prasad, convicted in multi crore fodder scam.