Bombay High Court to hear plea for release of Hany Babu for urgent medical care

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The Bombay High Court will hear the plea filed for release of Prof Hany Babu for urgent medical attention at 3 P.M today, May 19. Babu’s counsel senior advocate Yug Chaudhry has approached a vacation bench comprising Justices S J Kathawalla and S P Tavade, and informed the Court that diagnosis for Mucormycosis (also known as the Black Fungus disease, being reported in many Covid-19 patients) was required as Babu has unknown eye infection.

Advocate Chaudhry has told the HC, “Hany Babu is suffering from eye infection due to the black fungus. For nine days he suffered in jail” reported The New Indian Express. According to Advocate Chaudhry Prof Babu “is in the GT Hospital. He is being treated only for Covid-19 and not the eye infection. He may lose his eyesight. He is an academician.” The bench then directed the GT Hospital’s dean to remain present before the court via video-conferencing at 3 P.M on Wednesday, stated the news report.

Bhima Koregaon-accused Hany Babu (55), in custody sans-trial since July 2020, was diagnosed as Covid-19 positive on May 13, 2021. The professor had already been suffering a dire eye infection in Taloja jail. His wife Dr Jenny Rowena learnt about it at around 7:30 PM at JJ Hospital in Mumbai. Earlier, she received a call from Taloja prison, regarding the hospital admissions. However, officials did not inform her either about the diagnosis, treatment being administered nor the time of his admission. The anxious family said they repeatedly asked about Hany Babu’s CT count, vital statistics or any other test-result information, but to no avail. 

Already the professor has little to no vision in his left eye due to the swelling that spread to his cheek, ear and forehead compromising other vital organs and posing a significant risk to his life if it spreads to the brain. Moreover, acute water shortage in the prison compels him to dress his eye with soiled towels, without washing the infected eye.

His family appealed to the Maharashtra government to shift Hany to a multi-speciality hospital with required expertise and facilities, for the best possible treatment in his present condition. They also requested a complete copy of Hany Babu’s medical documents and along with regular updates on every development regarding his health. According to brother Dr Harish Tharayil, the family is also waiting for official information from the prison and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“The thought of Hany having to beg for something as basic as essential health services is heart wrenching. It is abject injustice that Hany should have to suffer repeatedly due to the negligence of state officials. We are dealing with an opaque and callous system which is deaf to our cries and blind to our pain,” said Hany’s mother Fathima.

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has launched an online petition to free Hany Babu. The CJP has urged and requested the Chief Minister and Home Minister, Maharashtra to immediately direct Professor Babu’s release in order for him to avail necessary eye treatment that he is entitled to. Join CJP’s voice in demanding his release. Sign our Change.org petition here:

Advocate Chaudhry has also told the court that Hany Babu is at risk of losing his eye-sight. The plea which will be heard at 3pm today seeking urgent medical attention for him. “The Modi regime, under pretext of arrest and detention under UAPA, wants prisoners of conscience to die in prison,” posted CPIML Politburo member, Kavita Krishnan

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