Bombay High Court orders probe into fraudulent medical certificates in parole cases [Read Order]

Bombay: The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered an investigation into potentially fraudulent medical certificates being used in parole applications, while simultaneously rejecting a convict’s plea for a parole extension.

A Division Bench of Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and S.G. Chapalgaonkar heard a petition filed by Kundan Suresh Pardeshi, a life convict, seeking a 30-day extension of his parole on the grounds of his wife’s high-risk pregnancy.

The court noted suspicious patterns in the medical certificates submitted, particularly those from Eagle Multispeciality Hospital in Aurangabad district. One of the doctors issuing certificates, Dr. Suraj S. Rana, was found to be an accused in a separate criminal case.

Expressing concern over these patterns, the court observed, “When we are coming across the certificates issued by the same hospital, there has to be an inquiry into the matter as to whether there is any connection.”

The Bench directed the District Superintendent of Police, Aurangabad, to conduct an inquiry within 15 days to investigate the frequency of certificate issuance by the hospital and any potential connections or patterns.

While rejecting the parole extension plea, the court stated, “Since we are not believing in the said certificate, we reject the prayers in the Writ Petition.”

In conclusion, while rejecting the application filed for an extension of the parole, the court observed that the matter will remain pending to receive and act upon the inquiry report and fixed the next hearing on September 23, 2024.

 [Read Order]