MUMBAI, June 8: The tightened security at the JJ hospital following the escape of dreaded criminal Feroze Konkani on May 6 seems to be discouraging undertrials from seeking treatment here. There has been a significant decline in referrals here from various jails even as police prepare to crack the alleged police-criminal-doctor nexus that has turned this state-run hospital into a safe haven for undertrials.Konkani, a key associate of Dawood Ibrahim, was brought to the hospital for a CT scan when he escaped from police custody on May 6. It was his 18th visit to the hospital.But, with increased police vigil, probable presence of plain-clothed policemen and stricter scrutiny of case papers, very few undertrials would get that many chances now. Investigations revealed that before May 6, 13 to 19 undertrials used to report for treatment here each day. The number post-Konkani escape have come down to 7 to 12 per day.A senior police officer under condition of anonymity said a team of officers may soonconduct a detailed probe into the nexus between undertrials, jail authorities and some doctors. The investigations are likely to supplement the information gathered by a committee which has been directed to screen case papers of all undertrials brought to JJ for treatment between 1990 and 1997. The committee will gather details of every undertrial's nature of ailment, the name of the doctor/surgeon he was referred to and the treatment that was given to him.The word that the police are keeping a hawk's eye on JJ seems to have spread. ``Tight security in the hospital premises must be acting as a deterrent. For, very few undertrials have reported for treatment here in recent weeks,'' said a police officer attached to JJ Marg police station. Sleuths of the Crime Branch too have fanned out in the hospital to gather information on Konkani's escape.But for some undertrials, and this only goes to prove the strength of their nexus with the hospital staff, there is still no better place than JJ. Yakub Memon, aprime accused in the serial bomb blasts case, Hanif Kadawada, a TADA detenue and Sarfaraz Phanse, Raju Jain and Wilson of the D-gang, continue to report here for treatment almost every alternate day.Sources said while the visits must be a welcome change from the drab environs of jails, there is evidence to suggest that they also meet their underworld contacts in the hospital premises. Senior police officials said several of Konkani's 17 visits to the hospital before he finally escaped were ``dry runs.'' No wonder then it was seamless operation that lasted only a few seconds and Konkani was a free man.Underworld don Arun Gawli's former associate, Suresh Bhaskar alias Aamdar, confirms that JJ has time and again been used by gangs to set up meetings between undertrials and their bosses or their emissaries. ``Deals are struck, plans laid out and killings ordered. You can do just about anything in JJ provided you are willing to pay the price,'' he said. And the price is between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 perundertrial. The amount varies depending on the importance of the concerned undertrial.So, has Konkani's escape sealed the fate of all others who would like to follow him? ``No'', says Bhaskar. ``Remember the JJ shootout? What happened after that? Did anything change?'' he asks.
