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In the case of an 82-years-old covid patient who went missing from a Hospital in Prayagraj in May last year, the Allahabad High Court on Monday gave 'another last chance' to the authorities to produce the man on May 6th, 2022.

The bench of Justice Surya Prakash Kesarwani and Justice Jayant Banerji noted that despite several opportunities having been given to the authorities, they failed to produce the missing man. Therefore, Court ordered that upon failure to produce Ram Lal Yadav (the missing man) before the Court on the next date fixed, the respondent authorities shall remain personally present.

Notably, the instant Habeas Corpus plea was moved by the son of the missing man in June 2021 and 16 hearings have already taken place in the matter. Detailed orders were also passed from time to time whereby more and more time had been granted to the respondents to produce the missing man.

Taking note of this fact, Court held that the man appears to be under illegal detention of the respondents and passed the instant order granting further time to the authorities to produce the man. 

Ram Lal Yadav, who was unable to walk, was admitted in Tej Bahadur Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj on May 4, 2021 as a covid patient but allegedly went missing. As of now, no information is available with regard to him since May 8, 2021.

The authorities have admitted before the court that Ram Lal was under treatment in the aforesaid Hospital and was not discharged. During the proceedings in the case, the apathetic condition of the hospital has also come on record, where even C.C.T.V. Cameras are non functional.

In the earlier order, Court had noted, "This prima facie shows not only gross negligence and dereliction in duty by the Officers/Doctors/Staff of the TB Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj but also indicates total carelessness in treatment, look-after and safety of COVID patients at T.B. Sapru Hospital, Prayagraj."

Court had also directed the State Government to immediately ensure that all infrastructure facilities and security equipments, safety and security measures of high standards be installed with inbuilt provisions of its regular maintenance and periodical audit around the Hospital premises.

Case Title: Rahul Yadav v. State Of U.P. And 4 Others