Jailed BSP legislator finds a second home — in hospital

Singh was admitted to hospital in January after he complained of a severe backache. Doctors from the Orthopaedic Department,who treated him,found nothing serious.

Two weeks ago,they declared him medical fit and Chief Medical Superintendent of the hospital,accordingly,wrote to the jail authorities. But before the jail authorities could move,Singh complained he had bleeding piles and stayed on for further treatment. Doctors,however,say he is fit to be sent to jail.

“We have given him the treatment and he is fit to be discharged. He can continue with medicines even in jail,” said Dr OP Singh of the Surgery Department.

Dr SP Gautam of the Orthopaedic Department said: “The MLA had backache and we treated him with medicines. No operation was conducted on him. Now,we have stopped giving him treatment and informed our senior officials that his health is fine.”

Two weeks ago,Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Abdul Moid wrote to the Sultanpur jail administration,stating that Sonu Singh had no medical problem and should be taken back to jail.

“Despite my letter on May 3,in which I clearly mentioned that the legislator does not need any more treatment,no jail authorities contacted me or made any effort to take him back to jail,” said Dr Abdul Moid.

Interestingly,the jail authorities say they are not aware that the MLA is fit. Inspector General,Prison,Sulkhan Singh said: “We did not receive any letter from the hospital and if the MLA is fit,then the authorities should discharge him.” But the hospital cannot discharge the MLA unless the jail authorities make arrangements to take him back.

A three-time MLA from Isauli constituency in Sultanpur,Singh was arrested from a flat in Hazratganj area on May 26,2007,for involvement in the murder of Sant Gyaneshwar and seven others which took place in Allahabad on February 10,2006. At the time,he was a member of the Samjawadi Party.

Last June,Singh left jail on parole,joined the BSP,and resigned his assembly seat. In the by-election held later,the BSP fielded Singh and he won while in jail. Two months later,he was shifted to the district hospital.

Singh’s lawyer Madan Singh said: “Of the nine cases registered against him,just three,including the murder of Sant Gyaneshwar,are now pending.”

The other accused in the case include the MLA’s brother Yashbhadra Singh alias Monu Singh and they all are lodged in Faizabad jail,he added.