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Dec 16 gang-rape accused critically ill, says lawyer

New Delhi, May 15
A December 16 gang-rape accused has been "poisoned" in Tihar Jail and is critically ill, his lawyer today told a special court which directed prison authorities to ensure that proper medical care is given to him. The lawyer for Vinay Sharma told additional sessions judge Yogesh Khanna that the accused was vomiting blood as his food was being poisoned over a period of several weeks.

Tihar Jail spokesperson Sunil Kumar Gupta denied that Vinay has been poisoned in the jail. The rumour regarding Vinay, an undertrial prisoner, that he has been "poisoned in jail and hence admitted in hospital is false," he said. "In fact, he is admitted in hospital due to high fever," he said. Vinay has been hospitalised and is in a "critical condition", AP Singh, his advocate, said, adding the accused was not getting proper treatment in hospital as the doctors were on strike. The judge asked the authorities to find out whether the doctors were on strike and to inform him if Vinay can be shifted to a private hospital. "The jail superintendent is directed to look into the matter. If doctors are on strike then make arrangements to shift the accused Vinay to another hospital where better facilities are available,” said the judge.

“See if he can be shifted to any other private hospital. Tell me if as per jail manual, I can send him to another hospital at government expense," he said. Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan denied claims of Vinay's counsel AP Singh, saying the doctors were on strike only for a few hours. The court, however, said, "If doctors were on strike, then why have you (jail) sent the accused to this hospital." Vinay has not attended court proceedings since May 8 as he is not keeping well. Vinay and five others, including a juvenile, are accused of gang-raping a 23-year-old girl on December 16, 2012. The girl died of her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29. Yesterday, the court had rejected Vinay's 15-day interim bail plea for his medical treatment. — PTI

‘Poisoned in jail’

• Vinay Sharma’s lawyer told additional sessions judge Yogesh Khanna that the accused was vomiting blood as his food was being poisoned over a period of several weeks
• Ram Singh, the prime suspect in the case, was found hanging in his cell under mysterious circumstances in the same prison in March this year

Just fever: Tihar authorities

Tihar Jail spokesperson Sunil Kumar Gupta denied that Vinay has been poisoned in the jail. He is admitted in hospital due to high fever.