'Raju needs to be in hospital for 2 months'

A local court reserved its orders for Saturday on a petition seeking continuation of in-patient treatment for former Satyam Computers chairman B Ramalinga Raju after a senior doctor informed the court that Raju requires at least 2 months treatment for hepatic ailment.

Dr Ajit Kumar, head of gastroenterology department at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), who appeared before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court said "Raju requires initial treatment of 4-8 weeks for Hepatitis C, under close observation.

"At least initially for 2 months in-patient treatment is required immediately with constant health monitoring which is not possible on out-patient basis." During examination before judge K Sudhakar, Kumar said "The risk is very much high as there is likelihood of complications as Raju is already suffering from cardiac problems."

Referring to Kumar's statement, CBI's Deputy Legal Advisor B Ravindranath told the court that if Raju's condition was really serious, then they had no objection for his in-patient treatment. However, he sought for strict surveillance by Chanchalguda Jail authorities during the treatment period.

"We have no objection for Raju's in-patient treatment but have apprehensions if this period is misutilised by the accused. Hence, outsiders, cell phones and laptops should not be allowed during the treatment," the CBI counsel said. After the doctor's statement was recorded, the judge reserved his orders for Saturday.