Bombay HC issues notice to JJ dean in contempt case

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday issued a notice to J.J. Hospital dean Dr T.P. Lahane, asking him to file a reply in a criminal contempt matter within four weeks. In the month of January, the PMLA court had referred the case to the high court after finding Dr Lahane guilty of letting NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal overstay in a private hospital. Bhujbal is currently in judicial custody on allegations of money laundering, which the Enforcement Directorate is investigating.  

On January 13, special PMLA judge P.R. Bhavake while hearing the matter said, “The application of Anjali Damania is allowed, and dean of J.J Hospital is held guilty of contempt of this court’s order. This matter shall be referred to Bombay high court for contempt proceedings.”

Accordingly, the matter came up in the high court. Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai have issued the notice to Lahane asking him to file a reply within four weeks. Speaking to The Asian Age, Lahane said, “I did not get a copy of notice, when I receive it I will inform the court.”

Ms Damania had filed an application in PMLA court, saying that the court had granted permission to Bhujbal to undergo only three tests - Holter Scan, Electrophysiological Studies and Thallium Scan. Her contention was that all these procedures could have been done in Out Patient Department  (OPD) and did not require admission of a patient in the hospital for more than 48 hours. However, Dr Lahane admitted Bhujbal in J.J Hospital from October 28 to November 2 and then referred him to Bombay Hospital so that he could undergo medical tests.