The High Court of Andhra Pradesh on Friday directed the Government Hospital for Mental Health to discharge suspended Doctor Sudhakar Rao adding that he was free to get admitted to a private hospital of his choice.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice AV Seshasai and Justice K Laitha was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Dr. Sudhakar’s mother challenging illegal detention of Dr Sudhakar in the Mental Hospital.
The CBI and the Police submitted that the doctor was not in their custody, hence the Court directed that Dr Sudhakar could be released after seeking permission from the hospital superintendent. The bench also directed Dr Sudhakar to cooperate with the CBI in the investigation.
On May 16, videos of Dr Sudhakar being manhandled by the Visakhapatnam Police was widely circulated on social media which grabbed the attention of the general public.
Two months ago Dr Sudhakar Rao, a Civil Assistant surgeon, Area Hospital, Narsimhapatnam was suspended for speaking against the government.
Thereafter, he was arrested on May 16 under Section 353 of IPC for assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty and section 427 of IPC for causing mischief, where he was seen shirtless being dragged by the Police, the video of which has gone viral on social media.
Dr Rao was admitted to King George Hospital where he was found inebriated and was referred to Government Hospital for mental Health where he is undergoing treatment for acute and transient psychosis.
Dr. Sudhakar has been discharged from the Hospital for Mental Health, Visakhapatnam and has been shifted to a private hospital.
-India Legal Bureau