<p> Ahmed Qureshi, a 27-year-old murder suspect, who is into the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Government District Wenlock Hospital here, is under closed circuit TV camera surveillance.<br /><br />It is a first-of-its-kind measure in the recent past, to ensure enhanced security to any suspect, considering the severity of the case and with the City Crime Branch (CCB) police personnel in the eye of the storm. <br /><br />The case had also spurred the Popular Front of India (PFI) activists to lay siege to the police commissioner’s office on April 4, which turned violent with agitators allegedly stoning the sentinels.<br /><br />District surgeon Dr H R Rajeshwari Devi told DH, “The CCTV camera that was earlier fixed outside the ICU is drawn inside, following a request from the investigation officer (IO). Moreover, it is also one of the rare cases, as entry to ICU is barred for any visitor, to ensure confidentiality of the patient under treatment.”<br /><br />Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar said that it had become inevitable with the kith and kin of the suspect blaming the police personnel even if anything happens to the suspect in the future.<br /><br />Court order<br /><br />When asked about the health condition of Qureshi – who is allegedly suffering from kidney-related ailments due to the torture meted out to him by CCB police as complained to the media by PFI activists – Devi said, “Although his condition is stable, he has to be provided higher level of treatment.<br /><br /> Following the request of his family members to shift him to KMC Hospital for advanced treatment, the judge of the second JMFC court has ruled in favour of the applicants in the day. As Qureshi was a chronic drinker and smoker, both of his kidneys have failed and he is also under dialysis. The Wenlock Hospital lacks nephro-urology treatment facility, and the court order has to be considered.”<br /><br />Action promised<br /><br />On the other hand, District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai said that he would recommend action against police personnel if they are found guilty in the case. Rai told media that the law is applicable to all and they would proceed further only after getting into the nitty-gritty of the case, speaking to the police commissioner. <br /><br />The minister also claimed that nobody had tried to contact him over phone following the PFI protest that turned violent. It was only through media did he learn about the whole issue, as he was held up in Bengaluru due to his appointment with a doctor, he insisted.<br /><br />The case<br /><br />Ahmed Qureshi, who was picked up for questioning in the murder case of one Prakash Poojary in Surathkal on March 27, was later arrested by the police. <br />Six days had elapsed between the day of picking and his arrest, sufficient for the PFI activists to waggle their fingers at the investigators. According to the PFI activists, Qureshi while in police custody was tortured, resulting in the damage to his kidneys.<br /></p>
<p> Ahmed Qureshi, a 27-year-old murder suspect, who is into the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Government District Wenlock Hospital here, is under closed circuit TV camera surveillance.<br /><br />It is a first-of-its-kind measure in the recent past, to ensure enhanced security to any suspect, considering the severity of the case and with the City Crime Branch (CCB) police personnel in the eye of the storm. <br /><br />The case had also spurred the Popular Front of India (PFI) activists to lay siege to the police commissioner’s office on April 4, which turned violent with agitators allegedly stoning the sentinels.<br /><br />District surgeon Dr H R Rajeshwari Devi told DH, “The CCTV camera that was earlier fixed outside the ICU is drawn inside, following a request from the investigation officer (IO). Moreover, it is also one of the rare cases, as entry to ICU is barred for any visitor, to ensure confidentiality of the patient under treatment.”<br /><br />Police Commissioner M Chandra Sekhar said that it had become inevitable with the kith and kin of the suspect blaming the police personnel even if anything happens to the suspect in the future.<br /><br />Court order<br /><br />When asked about the health condition of Qureshi – who is allegedly suffering from kidney-related ailments due to the torture meted out to him by CCB police as complained to the media by PFI activists – Devi said, “Although his condition is stable, he has to be provided higher level of treatment.<br /><br /> Following the request of his family members to shift him to KMC Hospital for advanced treatment, the judge of the second JMFC court has ruled in favour of the applicants in the day. As Qureshi was a chronic drinker and smoker, both of his kidneys have failed and he is also under dialysis. The Wenlock Hospital lacks nephro-urology treatment facility, and the court order has to be considered.”<br /><br />Action promised<br /><br />On the other hand, District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai said that he would recommend action against police personnel if they are found guilty in the case. Rai told media that the law is applicable to all and they would proceed further only after getting into the nitty-gritty of the case, speaking to the police commissioner. <br /><br />The minister also claimed that nobody had tried to contact him over phone following the PFI protest that turned violent. It was only through media did he learn about the whole issue, as he was held up in Bengaluru due to his appointment with a doctor, he insisted.<br /><br />The case<br /><br />Ahmed Qureshi, who was picked up for questioning in the murder case of one Prakash Poojary in Surathkal on March 27, was later arrested by the police. <br />Six days had elapsed between the day of picking and his arrest, sufficient for the PFI activists to waggle their fingers at the investigators. According to the PFI activists, Qureshi while in police custody was tortured, resulting in the damage to his kidneys.<br /></p>
