Bombay High Court orders probe after noting same hospital issuing medical certificates to prisoners for parole

The Bombay High Court Bench at Aurangabad has ordered a probe into whether there is any foul play involved in the grant of medical certificates by one particular hospital to various prisoners who had recently sought parole (leave from prison) on medical grounds [Kundan Suresh Pardeshi v. State of Maharashtra and Ors]..The Bench of Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice SG Chapalgaonkar passed the order after noting a significant increase in medical certificates submitted along with parole applications from one specific hospital in Ranjangaon.The Court has directed the District Superintendent of Police, Aurangabad, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the same. The Court's decision followed concerns about the authenticity and potential misuse of these documents."When we are coming across the certificates issued by the same hospital, there has to be an inquiry into the matter, as to whether there is any connection. Therefore, we deem it fit to issue directions to the District Superintendent of Police, Aurangabad, to conduct the inquiry either by himself or through a responsible high-ranking officer, to see how frequently the certificates are issued and what is the connection, as only one hospital is now issuing such certificates," the Court said. The inquiry is to be completed within 15 days, the Court added in its September 9 order. .The Court was hearing a writ filed by one, Kundan Suresh Pardeshi against an order by State authorities rejecting an application for the extension of parole.Kundan, who is serving a life sentence for murder, had initially been granted a 30-day parole starting July 27, 2024, for his wedding by the High Court.Following the completion of his parole, he applied for an extension on August 21, 2024, due to the urgent medical needs of his wife, who was said to be experiencing serious complications during her pregnancy.He provided medical certificates from one Eagle Multispeciality Hospital in Ranjangaon indicating the necessity of a cervical cerclage procedure.However, his request for a 30-day extension was denied by the authorities on August 28, primarily due to the lack of clarity in the medical documents he submitted..The High Court too, after examining the documents, raised questions about their authenticity.It was noted that Pardeshi’s wife, a resident of Nashik, had sought treatment on an outpatient basis at Eagle Multispeciality Hospital in Ranjangaon on multiple occasions.The Court expressed scepticism about this. "We are not convinced with these documents and the fact that though wife of petitioner is resident of Nashik, would try to get the treatment from the hospital at Ranjangaon, Taluka-Gangapur, District-Aurangabad," the Bench said.The Court further noted that the district hospital at Nashik was reportedly unwilling to provide a certificate, which further cast doubt on the validity of the treatment records from the Ranjangaon hospital“It will not be out of place to mention here that while dealing with the parole applications in recent times, we have come across that the inmates are bringing certificates issued by this particular hospital i.e. ‘Eagle Multispeciality Hospital, Ranjangaon.’ Especially in today’s matter, the certificate is issued by Dr. Suraj S. Rana, who appears to be an accused in Crime No. 319 of 2019 registered with Pundlik Nagar Police Station, District-Aurangabad, for the offence punishable under Sections 120-B, 314, 203, and 201 of the Indian Penal Code," the Court added.The Court, therefore, ordered an inquiry and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 23. Meanwhile, Pardeshi's plea for an extension of parole was rejected."Since we are not believing in the said certificate, we reject the prayers in the Writ Petition. The matter is kept pending only for the purpose of getting the inquiry report and further directions that may be passed," the Court said..Advocate Sharda P Chate appeared for Kundan Suresh Paradeshi.Additional Public Prosecutor GA Kulkarni appeared for the State..[Read Order]