Former deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal discharged from hospital, taken back to jail

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, an accused in a money laundering case, was discharged from the state-run St George Hospital today after a week-long stay for high blood pressure and chest pain.

However, he may have to visit the hospital again for dental treatment.

“After observing his condition, we decided to discharge him. He also suffers from asthma, so precautions need to be taken. If he needs further treatment for his ailments, he will be sent to J J Hospital now,” said Dr Jagdish Bhawani, Superintendent of St George Hospital.

The admission of the 68-year-old NCP leader to the hospital in South Mumbai from Arthur Road prison last Monday, where he has been lodged since his arrest in the case, stirred a controversy after it emerged that he was supposed to visit the dental OPD at the hospital for treatment for toothache but instead got admitted for high blood pressure, chest pain and fluctuating heart rate.

Meanwhile, Dr Mansingh Pawar, dean of dental department in the hospital, said, “Bhujbal requires root canal treatment for which he needs to come again. He is a diabetic with too many health complications.”

Amid the controversy, authorities indicted Dr Rahul Ghule, posted at the jail, for manipulating documents to facilitate the politician’s referral to the hospital by altering the recommendation made by the Chief Medical Officer for Bhujbal’s check up for toothache.

The former minister has reportedly lost 10 kgs since his arrest in March.

On March 31, a special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases in Mumbai had extended judicial custody of Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal, also an accused in the case, till April 27.

ED had filed two FIRs against Bhujbal and his family members under the anti-money laundering laws.