Self-styled spiritual teacher and rape convict Santhosh Madhavan is in the news again and, as in the past, for the wrong reasons.
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered that Madhavan no more be employed as helper in the hospital of the Central Prison, Poojappura, where he is serving time. Chairperson J.B. Koshy said in his order on Monday that Madhavan wielded undue influence on the prison doctor, Victor Dantha, and their nexus had led to denial of treatment for needy prisoners.
He said the SHRC was considering another complaint that a prisoner, Anil George, had died because he was denied treatment at the prison hospital due to Madhavan’s influence.
In 2009
Madhavan, who was accused in several cheating cases, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2009 for raping two minor girls and videorecording the act for his private viewing. Mr. Koshy said for the past two years Madhavan was only assigned light work in the prison. A prisoner, Sabu Daniel, petitioned the commission that he was denied treatment at the prison infirmary because of Madhavan’s influence on hospital affairs. The Prisons Department filed a report before the SHRC stating that Daniel was accused in several cases and his statement should not be taken at face value. Mr. Koshy, a former High Court judge, threw out the report and said officials should not file such incredulous reports in the forum. He said a man could not be denied his human rights just because he was named accused in criminal cases.
Mr. Koshy ordered the prison to ensure that Daniel had access to the dental hospital. He also said prisoners should be transported to the hospital in large buses and not in crammed vehicles.
