A city court on Thursday restricted renowned eye surgeon T.P. Lahane from entering the premises of Sir J.J. Hospital, while granting him interim protection from arrest till February 25. Since Dr. Lahane, the Dean of Sir J.J. Hospital, resides on the campus, he will not be allowed to enter his home either.
The court was hearing the anticipatory bail application filed by him in a case registered against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
A hospital sweeper has accused him of making casteist and derogatory remarks.
When the hearing came up in the court, Mr. Lahane’s counsel Swapana Kode argued that only a special court under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has the jurisdiction to hear the matter. Since the special judge was on leave, the court granted interim relief to the doctor. Accordingly, he will enjoy immunity from arrest till 3 p.m. on February 25.
Fear expressed
During the hearing, the complainants expressed apprehension that Dr. Lahane might influence the eight witnesses who too stay on the hospital campus. They argued that they had CCTV footage which showed that he visited every ward on Wednesday.
They feared that during the time of interim relief, he might tamper with the evidence. After hearing this, the court barred Dr. Lahane from entering the premises of J.J. Hospital till February 25.
