SC grants permission for Navlakha to inspect his health reports

The Supreme Court of India on Friday allowed human rights activists Gautam Navlakha and those concerned to inspect the reports filed by the hospital regarding his health.

On September 29, the Supreme Court had directed for Navlakha to be taken to a hospital of choice for a thorough medical check-up after Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that he had many health complications and had asked the hospital to submit a report to the Court based on the check-up.

A Bench of Justices K M Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy was considering a petition moved by Navlakha seeking transfer to house arrest.

The 73-year-old human rights activist, who was arrested in August 2018 and has been under custody ever since, has approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court rejected his prayer. He stated that he is suffering from serious ailments, including skin allergy and dental issues, and cited the need to undergo colonoscopy to test suspected cancer. He requested that he be shifted to his sister's house and be placed under house arrest there. During the brief hearing today, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested for the matter to be taken up on November 2. The Bench then asked for an update in the matter.

Mehta informed that Navlakha is being treated and routine check - ups are going on. "Nothing major, milords", he said.

Pointing to the hospital reports, the Bench said that as there were many reports, it may not be possible for them to go through it all at once. The matter is now scheduled for November 9.