Chhagan Bhujbal private hospital stay not JJ Hospital's idea: Tatyarao Lahane

Mumbai: The dean of JJ Hospital, Tatyarao Lahane on Thursday appeared before a special PMLA court and denied allegations that he misused the court’s order, due to which there are allegations that former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal stayed in a private hospital without any need for the same.

Special PMLA court judge P.R. Bhavake had summoned Dr Lahane while hearing an application filed by AAP activist Anjali Damania alleging that it was “sheer negligence of duty” by JJ Hospital and Arthur Road jail that Bhujbal was in Bombay Hospital since November 2.

On Thursday, Ms Damania also alleged that Bhujbal was as fit as cricketer Virat Kohli and did not require staying in hospital for any medical treatment. On the other hand, Dr Lahane informed the court that he has already filed his reply on November 30, and he stands by what he has said in it. He said he does not have anything to add to what he has already mentioned. Dr Lahane in his reply has said the decision of performing coronary angiography in J.J. Hospital or Bombay Hospital needs to be taken by the superintendent, Mumbai Central prison.

According to Dr Lahane’s reply, Bhujbal had already been handed over to jail authorities on November 2, by JJ Hospital. It says JJ Hospital does not have any role in Bhujbal’s stay in Bombay Hospital.

“Hence my humble submission to the court is that the dean of JJ Hospital has not misused and breached order of this court and there is no lapse on my part in the treatment of said prisoner,” said the reply.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a multi-crore money laundering case against Bhujbal, his son Pankaj and nephew Sameer. The agency has already arrested Bhujbal and Sameer and both were in judicial custody. However, Bhujbal was later sent to JJ Hospital for medical tests and then transferred to Bombay Hospital to get a ‘thallium scam’ done. The NCP leader, however, stayed there for a longer period and Ms Damania alleged that the test didn’t even require admission as it could have been done as an outpatient also. Owing to criticism that he was receiving preferential treatment there, Bhujbal was once again shifted to JJ Hospital on Wednesday.

Meanwhile on Thursday, during the hearing of a public interest litigation, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur ordered an investigation into the disproportionate assets complaint filed by Ms Damania with the Anti-Corruption Bureau disclosing disproportionate assets of  '2,653 crore allegedly held by Bhujbal and his family.

Leader’s angio test to be done in 2 days:
Former deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal is in a separate room on the fourth floor of JJ Hospital. Bhujbal’s angiography will be carried out in two days. Sources said he allegedly denied consent for the angiography treatment scheduled for Thursday so that he can extend his stay at the hospital. Doctors cannot proceed without the patient’s permission. Bhujbal is kept in separate cell in Hemodynamic Operation Theatre (H. O.D), HOD is department where the angiography and angioplasty is done. According to the dean Dr. Lahane, Bhujbal’s angiography will be done in two days. Bhujbal is admitted under the unit of Dr Anil Kumar. Earlier, the NCP leader was admitted to privately-run Bombay Hospital for a thallium scan, a test that requires only 24 hours, but remained in hospital for over a month. After angiography, Bhujbal will undergo angioplasty.