Hany Babu

Academic 

Delhi 

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on May 12, 2021, regarding critical medical treatment for Professor Hany Babu who was in Taloja jail, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Prof. Babu teaches English at Delhi University and is a strong advocate of Dalit and Bahujan rights. He was arrested on July 28, 2020 and has been in prison in connection with Bhima-Koregaon Elgar Parishad case. 

Mr. Babu started experiencing acute pain and swelling in his left eye on May 03, 2021. The pain spread to his ear, cheek and forehead leaving him with little or no vision in his left eye. He did not have access to clean water to wash his eyes due to an acute water shortage in the jail. He requested jail authorities for specialised treatment outside jail, which was denied on account of a non availability of a prison escort. He was taken to the hospital for a consultation with ophthalmologist on May 7, 2021 only after his lawyer wrote to the jail superintendent the previous day. He was advised by the doctor to return after two days for further treatment but had not been taken to the doctor by jail authorities despite multiple calls on May 10, 2021 and an email by his lawyer on May 11. The lawyer clearly mentioned in the email to the jail superintendent that delay in taking Mr. Babu to hospital can be life threatening. 

The treatment meted to Pro. Babu by jail authorities is complete violation of United Nations Standard Minimum Rule for Treatment of Prisoners.