PIL against arrested BJD MLA Pravat Biswal's stay in hospital

Cuttack: A PIL was filed in the Orissa High Court on Wednesday raising doubts on the health condition of arrested BJD MLA Pravat Biswal who is undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

It has been alleged that Biswal is faking illness to avoid jail custody, after being arrested by CBI on September 18 for his alleged links with tainted chit fund firm Seashore Group of Companies.

The petitioner Sudhansu Sekhar Parida claimed that the MLA got himself admitted in SCB by using his political powers and is leading a comfortable life in the presence of his party men and family members. The petition also seeks health examination of Biswal by AIIMS doctors to verify his health condition.

Demanding a proper probe of the issue, Parida's advocate Kshirod Rout said the Director of Health or the SCB authorities should be duly punished if any discrepancies come to the fore.

Immediately after Biswal’s arrest in September, the CBI was granted a five day remand of the MLA. But as he complained of illness, Biswal was admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and on September 25 was shifted to SCB after his condition deteriorated. The MLA is staying in the hospital since then.