Government responsible if anything happens to Chhagan Bhujbal: Sharad Pawar

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has written a letter to the state government, saying the latter would be held responsible should anything ‘untoward’ happen to his incarcerated party member Chhagan Bhujbal. 

The 71-year-old former state minister has been in jail for almost two years in a money laundering case. Mr Pawar said that it was unfortunate that Mr Bhujbal’s bail applications had been rejected even tho-ugh the Supreme Court has time and again held that “bail is rule and jail is exception”.

Mr Pawar wrote, “I am getting disturbing reports about the deteriorating health of Mr Bhujbal at the age of 71. He has been in jail for the last two years and his health is in a fragile condition. As of now, legal matters regarding Mr Bhujbal’s health have not been decided by the Bombay high court. So, as the Supreme Court has said time and again, ‘bail is right and jail is exception’, he is deemed to be innocent.” 

Mr Pawar further wrote, “I do not expect anything but that proper medical treatment be given to Mr Bhujbal, as is his constitutional right.” The Maratha strongman also mentioned Mr Bhujbal’s past achievements and said that ignoring his contribution to the state wouldn’t be proper. Concluding his letter on a harsh note, Mr Pawar wrote, “I am saddened to record that if Mr Bhujbal meets an untoward fate in the days to come, your government will be held responsible for the same!” 

Mr Bhujbal has had a cough, among other health issues, since last week. He was first admitted to JJ Hospital. The matter of his treatment was raised in the Council last week where the Chairman, Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, ordered that Mr Bhujbal be provided sufficient medical aide.