Raju can’t eat,and is breathless at times. But can’t he attend court?

Doctors at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) where he is being treated for hepatitis C,today presented a list of his problems to the court of the XXI Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate,but did not say whether he can come to court. The court had asked for a report after the CBI complained about the delay in the trial.

The report says Raju’s hepatitis C count has come down from 90 lakh in September 2009 to less than 50,000 now. He is,however,suffering from: 1) loss of appetite,2) breathlessness when excreting,3) swelling and infection of nail-bed for the past three months,4) itching behind the ears,5) burning of eyes and Tinnitus (perception of a ringing sound inside the ears) for four weeks,6) excessive weakness and palpitations for five months,and 7) occasional bleeding from the nose and in stools for four months.

“The medical reports so far do not tell us whether he is fit to attend court. The court will examine the report submitted today and take a decision tomorrow on whether Raju can attend or not,” CBI special counsel K Surendra said. “If he is meeting family members and friends,how can his condition be so fragile?”

NIMS head of gastroenterology Dr Ajit Kumar said patients of genotype I,hepatitis C need “constant monitoring”. Raju was shifted to NIMS from Chanchalguda jail on September 7,2009.

CBI has sought the court’s permission to establish a video link with NIMS. “The court will decided whether he can appear before it or depose through video-conferencing,”

Surendra said.