The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to appoint a board of doctors to examine NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, a septuagenarian journalist lodged in Tihar Jail under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), to verify his health status.
A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta was visibly surprised to hear Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, for the Delhi Police, submit that “hospitals are meant for everybody, not for money bags”. Mr. Raju said he was on a point of principle, and special treatment cannot be given to particular individuals. He asked why the State should bear the medical expenses for an accused.
Editorial | Undeclared Emergency: On the arrests and actions in Newsclick case
