Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission on Monday ordered government to provide ambulances with escort on permanent basis to all the major jails in Jammu and Kashmir within six months.
“Smaller jails can utilize the services of major jails by and when required,” Justice (retd) Bilal Nazki said while disposing of a case filed by one Mst. Haleema wife of late Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat of Dalipora Pulwara.
According to Haleema, her husband Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat was lodged in Central Jail Srinagar, facing trail in case (FIR No. 322/2013).
On 20 February 2014, less than a month after he was lodged in jail, Bhat complained of abdominal pain and was referred to JLNM Hospital Rainawari wherefrom he was referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar where he died on 22 February 2014.
According to the doctors, who conducted his post-mortem, Bhat died “acute haemorrhagic Pancratits” with multiple organs dysfunctional.
“I do not find that the cause of death of the deceased could be attributed to Jail authorities and the prisoner died because of the medical condition he had,” observed the SHRC Chairperson while deciding the case.
“The Superintendent of Central Jail in his report dated 22.02.2014 submitted that in spite of repeated requests the Police authorities fail to provide timely escorts so that patients could be immediately referred to the Hospital. While I personally visited many jails in the state every jail Superintendent complained that they do not get Police Ambulance or Escort in case of emergencies which results in delay in taking the patients to Hospitals,” said the SHRC chairperson and subsequently directed that all the major jails in the state be provided ambulances with escort on permanent basis.
“This process shall be completed within a period of six months. Smaller jails can utilize the services of major jails by and when required,” the SHRC added.
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