Biscuit baron’s death: Wife gets Rs 10 lakh as damages

Directing the Tihar administration to review the institutional arrangement,called the Board of Visitors,in four months,the judge noted: “There should be an effective mechanism to ensure observance of minimum standards of treatment and care of inmates by the jail administration,consistent with the constitutional obligations of the state… the system requires to be revamped and made effective.”

Observing that 47-year-old Pillai’s condition worsened while he was being taken to a hospital in a rickety ambulance,which was no better than a pick-up van,the court directed Tihar authorities to purchase an ambulance that’s comparable to the best in the country,besides recruiting a team of trained medical personnel,in three months. Justice Muralidhar also directed the authorities to fill up vacancies in Tihar,so it would have adequate number of personnel with medical acumen to attend to ailing inmates.

Accepting the report of the Leila Seth Commission of Inquiry,which was appointed to ascertain the circumstances leading to Pillai’s death,the court asked the authorities to ensure that the committee’s suggestions for improvement of the system at Tihar are fully implemented.

The commission,in its 1997 report,had suggested measures such as de-congesting the jail,providing fresh air to inmates,round-the-clock primary healthcare,thorough check-ups,computerisation of medical records and improved communication with the courts regarding the medical condition of inmates.

Pillai,who controlled snack majors such as Britannia Industries in six countries and owned cashew plantations in Australia,died at the DDU Hospital on July 7,1995,due to alleged lack of medical care. He had earlier fled Singapore,where he was wanted in a criminal case,and was arrested by the CBI and remanded in judicial custody in Tihar.

A chronic patient of liver cirrhosis,his condition had deteriorated soon afterwards. It is alleged that medical personnel at the jail did not pay attention to his condition,and this led to his death.

The court appreciated the submissions made by Nina’s counsel senior advocate C A Sundaram and Manali Singhal that the compensation money will be given to charity.