New Delhi, June 3rd, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has sought to know from the Bihar Government as to what steps it is taking for the safety and security of the doctors on duty in the jails. The Commission's orders in this regard have come following its suo motu cognizance in the wake of media reports alleging that a group of jail inmates bet a doctor to death in the District Jail, Gopalganj, Bihar on the 29th May, 2011.

A notice to this effect has been issued to the Chief Secretary of the State in which he has been asked to submit a detailed report within two weeks on the incident, including the security measures which are being taken by the State for the doctors on duty in jails.

The media carried reports on the 31st May, 2011 alleging that one Dr. Bhudeo Singh was fatally assaulted by a group of jail inmates, serving a life term in a kidnapping for ransom case in the District Jail, Gopalganj, since, he refused to issue them false medical certificates which could have prevented their shifting to the Central Jail at Buxar. As the doctor entered their ward, they pounced upon him and thrashed him mercilessly till he fell unconscious. He was rushed to a nearby hospital from where doctors referred him to Patna Medical College Hospital. He was declared as brought dead in the Patna Medical College Hospital.

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