Bhima Koregaon undertrial Hany Babu battling life-threatening eye infection, says family

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 11

The family members of Delhi University professor Hany Babu, an undertrial in the Bhima Koregaon case, on Tuesday issued an appeal for medical aid to their ward saying he was battling a life-threatening eye infection which was spreading to other organs in the absence of treatment.

“Hany Babu has developed an acute eye infection in Taloja Jail. He has little or no vision in his left eye due to the swelling, which has spread to the cheek, ear and forehead, compromising other vital organs as well, and posing a significant risk to his life if it spreads to the brain,” the undertrial’s wife Jenny Rowena and brothers Harish MT and MT Ansari said on Tuesday.

They said due to acute water shortage in the prison, Babu does not have access to clean water to clean his eye.

The family said appeals to get Babu to medical help had failed.

They said he started experiencing pain and swelling in the left eye on May 3, which soon developed into double vision and severe pain.

“Since the prison Medical Officer had already informed Hany Babu that the prison did not have the facilities to treat his eye infection, Hany Babu had immediately requested for consultation and treatment with a specialised doctor. But he was not taken for consultation, because an escort officer was not available. It was only after his lawyers sent an email on May 6 to the Superintendent, Taloja Jail that he was taken to a Government Hospital in Vashi on May 7. At the Vashi Government Hospital, Hany Babu was examined by an Ophthalmologist, prescribed certain anti-bacterial medication, and advised to return for follow-up treatment in two days. Whilst his condition deteriorated alarmingly, he was still not taken back to the hospital after two days, once again due to the lack of escort officers, the prison claims,” the family said.

They said that on May 10, Babu’s lawyer made over eight calls to the prison to speak with the Superintendent, who refused to come on the line.

“At 8:30 pm, the lawyer was informed that arrangements to take Babu’s to the hospital were being made. The lawyer again sent an email emphasising the gravity of the situation and that even a day’s delay may lead to an irreversible deterioration leading to partial or complete loss of sight as well as a life-threatening complication if it affects the brain. But Babu wasn’t taken to the hospital even on May 11,” the family said appealing for medical care.