In response to a plea from Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, who has been on a hunger strike since November 1, the Delhi High Court has requested an immediate medical status report detailing his condition. Malik, convicted in a terror funding case and currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail, is urging transfer to a specialized hospital due to cardiac and kidney ailments, which he claims are being inadequately addressed by jail authorities.
The Court directed Tihar’s superintendent to ensure that Malik receives proper medical care as per Delhi Prison Rules, 2018, while submitting a report on his current health status. Malik’s representatives argued that his untreated bilateral kidney stones and heart issues pose serious health risks, warning of potential organ failure or even coma without proper intervention. Malik seeks treatment at AIIMS or another advanced facility in Delhi or Srinagar, emphasizing his fundamental right to healthcare despite incarceration.
Malik has made similar appeals in the past, including one earlier this year, which was concluded after government assurances of medical care as needed. However, Malik alleges further neglect and restricted access to hospitals, citing a procedural order from December 2023 that limits inmate transfers. He now calls for this restriction’s removal to allow his physical presence in court when necessary, reinforcing his demand for timely medical intervention in accordance with his rights.
