Prisons dept seeks explanation from Ludhiana jail chief over docs’ complaint

Ludhiana: The Punjab prisons department has sought an explanation from Ludhiana Central Jail superintendent Kulwant Singh Sidhu following a complaint alleging misbehaviour and unprofessional conduct with jail medical officers.Four doctors posted at the jail had written to the Ludhiana chief medical officer (CMO), accusing the superintendent of repeated misconduct that led to mental harassment. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) also took up the matter with the CMO, who forwarded it to the prisons department.Acting on the complaint, the department on June 2 issued a notice to Sidhu seeking his explanation.According to the notice (a copy of which is with TOI), on May 24, medical officer Dr Himanshu Gupta informed the superintendent over phone about three inmates allegedly suffering from hypoglycaemia during a hunger strike and shared their medical records.

However, instead of taking action, Sidhu allegedly behaved in an inappropriate, insulting and unprofessional manner, and asked the doctor to delete the message and avoid contacting him.The notice further states that similar incidents of alleged misconduct with medical staff have occurred earlier. Dr Gupta was reportedly insulted after he raised concerns about unsafe accommodation with a human rights commission team.

A visiting psychiatrist, Dr Arvind, has also allegedly stopped visiting the jail after being insulted.Sidhu has also been accused of interfering in the functioning of the jail hospital by restricting doctors from referring inmates for treatment and medico-legal reports. The department observed that the medical needs of inmates were ignored and that the officer dealt inappropriately with medical staff.He has been directed to submit his reply within two days, failing which action may be initiated under Rule 10 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970.Speaking to TOI, Sidhu denied any dispute. “There is no issue between the medical officers and me. The explanation is an internal departmental matter and I will submit it,” he said.Refuting claims of a hunger strike, he added, “No inmate is on a hunger strike. These allegations are baseless. Also, two doctors who wrote the complaint were transferred out of the jail on Thursday.”