Delhi gang-rape accused being poisoned, lawyer tells court

An accused in Dec 16 gang-rape case has been vomiting blood as his "food was being poisoned" over several weeks in Tihar Jail, his lawyer told a fast-track court Wednesday, adding that he was critically ill.

Additional Sessions Judge directed Tihar Jail authorities to ensure that proper medical care is given to him.

The accused, Vinay Sharma, was admitted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he was taken from Tihar Jail with high fever. He has not attended court proceedings since May 8 due to his health issues.

His counsel told the court that Sharma has been hospitalised and is in a "critical condition". He added that the accused was not getting proper treatment in hospital as the doctors were on strike.

The court asked the jail authorities to find out whether the doctors were on strike and to inform it if Sharma could be shifted to a private hospital where better facilities are available.

The judge in the order said: "The jail superintendent is directed to look into the matter. If doctors are on strike then make arrangements to shift the accused Vinay (Sharma) to another hospital where better facilities are available."

"See if he can be shifted to any other private hospital. Tell me if as per jail manual, I can send him to another hospital at government expense."

On the other hand, Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan denied Sharma's counsel's claims saying the doctors were on strike only for a few hours.

The court Tuesday rejected Sharma's 15-day interim bail plea for his medical treatment.

Sharma is being tried in Dec 16 gang rape case among others.

The 23-year-old woman was brutally tortured and gang-raped in the bus by five men and a juvenile. She later died in a Singapore hospital.

The juvenile is facing proceedings before a Juvenile Justice Board, while the four other accused were put up for trial in the fast track court. One of the accused allegedly committed suicide in jail.