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Journalism of Courage
Holding medical officers in jail responsible for Pravin Mahajans death,the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the state to probe them. It has also asked the state to take action against the officers for allegedly showing negligence and casual approach towards a diabetic Mahajan,which allegedly later caused his death.
The SHRC has also directed the state to pay a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to Mahajans family for the medical expenses incurred in treating him at a private hospital.
Mahajans wife Sarangi had moved the SHRC early this year,alleging that her husband died due to ill treatment in jail. Mahajan was lodged in Nashik Jail after he was convicted of the murder of his brother,BJP leader Pramod Mahajan.
In her application to the SHRC,Sarangi said Mahajan,a diabetic,would have survived,had it not been for the negligence on the part of the authorities who allegedly did not give him medicine.
The SHRC observed,The concerned medical officer is liable to be dealt with for showing negligence,casual approach,in providing treatment to the deceased husband of the complainant.
A few months after he was convicted in December 2007,Mahajan had applied for parole before the Bombay High Court. He was subsequently released on parole on November 27,2009 for 15 days. However,a day before Mahajan was to surrender,he suffered a severe brain hemorrhage and was shifted to a hospital,where he later died.
Although Sarangi had not sought compensation and only strict action against the jail authorities and the medical officers,the SHRC has observed that compensation in the case is inevitable.
