Ranchi: The Jharkhand high court on Thursday instituted a public interest litigation on the scarcity of doctors in the state jails.A division bench of Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Sanjay Prasad were hearing a criminal appeal when they were informed that the appellant was a patient suffering with renal problems.The patient had filed a petition for his suspension of sentence and release from jail in order to avail better medical treatment. The petition mentioned that the medical facility in the jail is not sufficient for his treatment and he ought to be released on bail to avail better medical treatment in a private facility.The state govt had earlier sought an adjournment in the matter to file its reply. By the time, the govt could file its reply, it was informed to the court that the patient who had filed the petition had passed away in jail due to lack of proper treatment.The court took up the matter seriously and further enquired from the govt on the vacancy of doctors appointed in the jails. The court was informed that out of 43 sanction post of doctors across the jails in the state, only one post is occupied, while 42 remain vacant. The medical facility and infrastructure in the jails is also lacking, the court was informed.There are six central jails in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Hazaribag, Deoghar, Dumka and Giridih. Apart from the central jails, there are 16 district jails and six sub-jails, including facilities in Palamu (Medininagar) and Simdega.The division bench after having heard the matter and owing to the gravity of the situation with regards to the dire shortage of doctors in jails registered the PIL suomoto and referred it before the bench of the Chief Justice for further adjudication.The kin of the deceased appellant have been given liberty by the high court to seek compensation from the govt.
