Chhagan Bhujbal may be shifted to 5-star Lilavati, Jaslok Hospital

Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was arrested in a money-laundering case in March and is currently at the state-run JJ Hospital could soon be shifted to the posh Lilavati or Jaslok Hospital.

Both these hospitals, Lilavati in Bandra (west) and Jaslok in south Mumbai, are famous for their state-of-the-art medical facilities and 5-star comforts. The NCP leader was admitted to JJ Hospital last month on suspicions of dengue.

JJ Hospital’s dean Dr T.P. Lahane has written a letter to the Arthur Road jail authorities on Friday recommending that Bhujbal be shifted to one of the two hospitals for thallium test and two other tests, which are not available at the state-run hospital. Bhujbal is in judicial custody. “He has been advised to undergo tests to find out the exact cause for his ailments. These tests are thallium test, neuro alert test and arteritis test (meant for heart-related ailment). Only private hospitals like Lilavati or Jaslok conduct such types of tests,” Dr Lahane added.

The dean said he has asked the jail authorities to take a call on Bhujbal’s health. “He is still suffering from low pulse and heart ailments. But his condition has remained the same. There are specific tests, which are not available in our hospital,” he said.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Arthur Road jail superintendent Harshad Aherao said, “Let JJ Hospital discharge him first. After that we will see what is to be done and we will act accordingly.”

Dr Narendra Bansal, head, cardiology, JJ Hospital, said, “A few city hospitals have such tests, our hospital does not have these facilities and the machine is costly, worth `25 crore. To find out the exact cause regarding Bhujbal’s ailments, these tests are mandatory.”

According to Mr Aherao, the accused is the one who bears the cost of all medical expenses when he is treated at a private hospital. The accused also has to shell out for expensive tests, if any, done at private hospitals. However, the state bears the medical expenses when he is treated at a government hospital.

Bhujbal has been kept in a special room in JJ Hospital on the first floor at ward no. 9, next to the female ward. Key political personalities like Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, Rajya Sabha member Praful Patel, fellow NCP leader Nawab Malik, minister Pankaja Munde, former Congress MLA Madhu Chavan, NCP leaders Sachin Ahir and fellow leader Dilip Walse-Patil met him in the hospital.

Bhujbal was admitted in the hospital from Arthur Road Jail on September 17, after his health worsened owing to low blood pressure, diabetes and high fever. In April this year, Bhujbal was admitted to the state-run St George Hospital. The doctors first said that he had toothache and then admitted him for high blood pressure and chest pain.

Blast from the past It may be recalled that in 2001, diamond merchant-cum-film financier Bharat Shah was arrested on January 8, 2001, under MCOCA for his alleged links with the underworld. Soon after his arrest Shah complained of heart ailment and knee joint pains. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital for an angiogram test after he refused to undergo the tests at JJ citing reasons that it was not well-equipped. The court allowed his plea subject to supervision by a panel of government doctors. But soon after getting admitted in Lilavati, he allegedly held a private birthday bash in the hospital.