Top court allows bail for specialised medical care

The Supreme Court has held that an undertrial prisoner suffering from an ailment requiring specialised treatment and medical supervision unavailable in jail may be granted post-arrest bail on medical grounds, particularly where continued detention could pose a serious risk to his health or life. A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed passed the ruling while allowing two petitions filed by Zeeshan Majeed Bhatti seeking bail on medical grounds, granting him post-arrest bail in both cases. In its detailed judgment, the court observed that medical reports submitted by the Medical Officer of Central Jail, Rawalpindi, showed that the accused was suffering from serious ailments and was not receiving the specialised treatment required at the jail hospital. The accused was suffering from hypertension, diabetes and cardiac problems, besides complaints of chest pain. Cardiologists had recommended specialised medical examination and treatment, the judgment noted. The apex court observed that the ailments suffered by the accused required specialised treatment and continuous medical supervision, which could not be adequately provided by the jail authorities. It held that continued detention without the required specialised treatment could adversely affect the accused's health and could also pose a danger to his life. Referring to its earlier judgments concerning bail on medical grounds, the court held that post-arrest bail could be granted.