INX Media: Delhi HC Directs AIIMS Doctors To Decide On Chidambaram's Admission in a Sterilised Private Ward at AIIMS

While considering P Chidambaram's plea for interim bail in INX Media case on medical grounds, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed that a Board should be constituted at AIIMS and Dr Nageshwar Reddy should be a part of it. The Board will then give its report on admission of Chidambaram in the sterilised private ward of AIIMS. If the Board recommends, Chidambaram will be shifted to the sterilised private ward at AIIMS for further treatment. 

The former Finance Minister had moved an application for interim bail as he wanted to get examined by Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, for his acute and persistent abdominal pain due to Crohn's disease which was diagnosed in 2017

Solicitor General submitted that Chidambaram was examined by Dr Ahuja of AIIMS, who's an expert on Crohn's disease. Dr Ahuja also had a conversation with Dr Reddy, on the request of the applicant, where the latter had informed the former that the line of treatment undertaken is alright. 

SG also argued that the sterile environment can be provided to the applicant in the AIIMS itself. He said:

'All the VVIPs come to private wards or AIIMS for treatment. Let Dr Reddy come here and treat Chidambaram'. 

Sibal countered this proposal by arguing that Chidambaram should at least be taken to a private hospital. When this demand was denied, Mr Sibal asked for a sterile private ward at AIIMS.

Justice Suresh Kumar Kait also went on to direct that once the report is prepared the Board, the same shall be provided to SG Tushar Mehta. The court will then peruse the report and pass the order on his admission tomorrow.

He had earlier moved a regular bail application before the present court on 24.10.2019 in which Justice Suresh Kumar Kait had issued notice to ED, directing the agency to file a counter-affidavit in a week.

It was mentioned in the application that Chidambaram was first examined by doctors in AIIMS on October 7, pursuant to which he was prescribed certain antibiotics and painkillers. After a week's relief, the pain resurfaced, and he was again taken to AIIMS for examination.

It was submitted by Chidambaram that the medication prescribed after the second examination at AIIMS, has not helped in giving him any relief from acute abdominal pain. The reports of CT Enterography & CECT Chest Tests which were conducted at RML Hospital have also been annexed to the application.

The reports should presence of diarrhoea, apart from abdominal pain. Subsequently, Chidambaram was immediately taken to AIIMS and now he's been prescribed a steroid treatment for 16 weeks.

Chidambaram had sought treatment from Dr Reddy because he is his regular doctor. After his family shared the reports with Dr Reddy, he replied to them by saying that in comparison with previous reports, the recent report indicates that the inflammation in Chidambaram's intestines caused due to Crohn's disease seems to have increased.

Dr Reddy had also suggested that Chidambaram needs immediate medical attention in a sterile environment including a change of diet to a bland and sterile one.

It was also averred in the application that Chidambaram has lost weight from 73.5 Kgs to 66 Kgs and is currently on a liquid diet and considering his age and medical conditions, there is a high likelihood of his condition further deteriorating unless he is treated by his regular doctor in a sterile environment.

Chidambaram is currently under judicial custody till November 13.