Chhagan Bhujbal's 41-day hospital stay Rs 5 lakh only

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal had an extended stay of 41 days at a privately run Bombay Hospital for a thallium scan. The stay in that hospital cost Rs 5 lakh, which was paid by a family member through cheque.

Bhujbal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case in March, is in judicial custody and was shifted to Bombay Hospital from the state-run JJ Hospital on November 2 due to his heart-related ailments. Bhujbal was shifted back to JJ Hospital Wednesday evening on the directions of the Arthur Road prison authorities. Bhujbal will undergo a coronary angiography test in JJ Hospital.

Bombay Hospital PRO Dr S. Sakle said, “Bhujbal was admitted to our hospital on November 2 and was shifted on December 2. He had stayed in a suite and a thallium scan test was conducted on him. The food was sent from his home, including his tea,” added Mr Sakle. Mr Sakle denied Bhujbal got any concession. “Ours is a trust-run hospital and we just charged him for the thallium scan test and his stay, which is why the cost came to Rs 5 lakh.”

Doctors said that as long as Bhujbal refrained from physical activity he would be all right, but in case he exerts himself then his heart would find it difficult to pump blood. His thallium scan test report had showed that he had reversible ischaemia.   

However, social activist Anjali Damania earlier alleged that Bhujbal was “as fit as cricketer Virat Kohli” and termed his stay in the hospital illegal. Ms Damania further told The Asian Age, “Why does he need an angiography now? Why did they not do it all these days?” She further said, “If a common man stays in a hospital that long (41 days) his bill would have been more than Rs 10 lakh. I would like to study his bills.” This is the third time Bhujbal has been outside the jail on medical grounds.

Test report:
The thallium scan test report showed Chhagan Bhujbal has mild reversible ischaemia. Reversible ischaemia is the ‘reversible’ restriction of blood flow that results in the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to specific tissues. When the body is at rest, the blood flow may return rest. The report also advises a coronary angiography to be conducted on the patient.

Court reserves order on application against Bhujbal:
A special court on Friday has reserved its order on the application under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) filed by activist Anjali Damania against the over stay of former PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal in a private hospital. Damania has sought action against JJ Hospital’s dean TP Lahane and Arthur Road jail authorities for facilitating Bhujbal’s over stay. She accused Lahane of malpractice in several cases which included VIP or high profile accused. She has also alleged, several politicians and ‘other’ people had come to meet him. She requested the special court to call upon the video clips of the CCTV cameras installed in Bombay Hospital. Bhujbal’s counsel argued Damania does not have any ‘locus’ to file such an application as she is not part of the prosecution and is only a complainant.