Judge incensed at paraplegic suspect’s court appearance

Court summons doctor for discharging half-paralysed person from hospital

RAWALPINDI:

Civil Judge Arif Khan Niazi on Thursday expressed extreme displeasure after police brought a paraplegic suspect to the court for the hearing.

The judge also summoned the doctor, who had discharged the half-paralysed man, at the next hearing slated for October 13.

The court also ordered to shift the paraplegic suspect, who was brought to the court on a stretcher, to district headquarters hospital from Adyala jail.

On September 9, the Rawat police had arrested the suspect, Irshad, a painter by profession, after he, along with his accomplices, attacked at the house of Liaquat Zaidi, who had not cleared his dues.

During the crossfire, a bullet had struck the backbone of the labourer, who was later arrested by the police.

Despite the medical condition, the police brought the suspect on a stretcher in an ambulance with his hands cuffed.

Read Lack of wheelchair ramps deterrent for paraplegic

After the police failed to take the suspect to the courtroom on the second floor of the judicial complex, the judge inquired why the suspect had not been produced. At this, police officials informed the court about the suspect’s health condition.

When the judge asked if he could be brought to the courtroom in a wheelchair, the police said it was not possible as the suspect could not sit on it.

At this, the judge asked which doctor has discharged such a patient from the hospital who could only be moved on a stretcher. The court said that even a suspect was entitled to constitutional rights.

The judge summoned Dr Usman at the next hearing with the discharge report of the patient.

It also ordered to move the suspect to the district headquarters hospital instead of jail until his complete treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2021.