MANDYA: Mohammed Hussain, a key accused in a land records fraud case who had served as an Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR), was found in Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) hospital during surprise check by judicial officers August 24.
Hussain, who was arrested by the Lokayukta police in connection with allegations of manipulation and creation of fake land records, was supposed to remain in prison as an undertrial. However, a surprise inspection by judicial authorities at MIMS brought to light that he had been admitted to the hospital and was staying in a separate room.
Hussain had earlier worked as an Assistant Director of Land Records and had served at the Srirangapatna tahsildar’s office. He is accused of allegedly creating and manipulating land records and preparing fake documents to facilitate the transfer of land in favour of others.
The inspection also found a woman in the room where Hussain was staying, raising further questions about the manner in which a prisoner in judicial custody had been allowed to remain in a private room without the court’s permission.
District and Sessions Judge and District Legal Services Authority chairman Chandrashekar C, along with officials of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and Mandya District Legal Services Authority, conducted the surprise inspection at MIMS on Monday evening.
During the inspection, the officials found that Hussain had been staying in a separate room at the hospital since August 21. The judicial team questioned the hospital authorities about the reasons for his admission and the nature of treatment being provided to him.
MIMS superintendent Shivakumar reportedly informed the officials that Hussain had been admitted to the hospital at his insistence. He also indicated that the accused did not have any serious health condition requiring prolonged hospitalisation.
The district judge then questioned the jail authorities about how Hussain, who was in judicial custody, had been shifted from prison to the hospital.
The jail superintendent reportedly told the judge that Hussain had been admitted to MIMS based on the recommendation of the jail medical officer. However, the court had not been informed about the hospitalisation, nor had prior permission been obtained for keeping the accused in the hospital.
The allegations against him are part of a larger land records case being investigated by the Lokayukta police.
The judicial team reportedly found the circumstances surrounding Hussain’s hospital stay suspicious enough to seek detailed explanations from the concerned authorities. The district judge directed the jail superintendent, police authorities and MIMS superintendent to submit reports explaining the circumstances under which Hussain was shifted to the hospital and allowed to remain there.
The presence of a woman in the room occupied by the accused is also expected to be examined as part of the report. Authorities will have to establish who the woman was, why she was present in the room and whether she had been permitted to meet or stay with the accused.
The judge warned that appropriate legal action could be initiated if the reports establish that rules governing the custody and treatment of prisoners were violated.
In Hussain’s case, the absence of information to the court has become a key issue. The jail authorities reportedly admitted that the court had not been informed about the accused’s admission to MIMS.
