The Madras High Court today allowed a murder accused, detained under the stringent Goondas Act, to avail treatment at a private hospital for heart ailment.
"A prisoner is a human being and crime does not reduce him to a non-person," Justice S Vimala of the bench here observed granting three days parole to the man, lodged in Tiruchirappalli Central Prison, on a petition by his wife seeking treatment for him in the private hospital.
The judge also suggested that the legislature codify the rights of prisoners.
The court rejected the contention of Superintendent of Tiruchirapalli Central Prison that prisoners could not be permitted to take medical treatment at private hospitals.
The judge said though petitioner Sumathi's husband Pandidurai was facing severe charges, the human life of a prisoner was also precious and its preservation was of paramount importance.
Justice Vimala allowed the prisoner to avail treatment at the hospital in Tiruchirappalli on the condition that the petitioner would bear the entire medical expenses besides the cost of escort to the prisoner.
The court rejected the prison SP's argument that other prisoners would make similar demand for treatment in private hospitals and it would lead to administrative problems.
However, the judge said request for medical treatment in private hospitals could be considered only on merit of each case and "this order cannot be a precedent for every case".
The petitioner submitted her husband had suffered chest pain and was treated at the government hospital last month.
She said government hospitals were flooded with patients and there was shortage of manpower and equipment and hence prayed for treatment at private hospital.
