The Jharkhand High Court has issued a directive to the state government to submit an affidavit detailing the measures taken to facilitate medical treatment for Dinesh Gope, the chief of the Naxal outfit People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This development followed concerns over the adequacy of medical care provided to Gope, who is currently incarcerated at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar.
Gope, a prominent figure who was apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi in May 2023 after nearly two decades of evasion, has been a major target due to his involvement in over 100 criminal cases across Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. These cases predominantly involve serious offenses such as murder, abduction, extortion, and funding militant activities.
After undergoing surgery for a hand injury, Gope faced complications that led the medical board at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) to recommend his transfer to AIIMS for superior medical care. Despite this recommendation, the state’s response has been lacking, prompting Gope to seek judicial intervention.
The court’s demand for an affidavit is part of its scrutiny into the state’s commitment to ensuring the health and legal rights of detainees, particularly those with severe allegations and extensive criminal backgrounds. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges within the correctional system in addressing the health concerns of high-profile inmates.
