CBI court refers Dhayanidhi Alagiri to JIPMER for medical examination

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The Second Additional District Court (CBI Cases), Madurai, on Friday, referred Dhayanidhi Alagiri to JIPMER Hospital, Puducherry, for medical examination before Chief Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist and Chief Neurologist to determine his understanding capacity, soundness of mind and physical condition to defend his case.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the Directorate of Enforcement seeking a direction to the respondent Dhayanidhi Alagiri, an accused in a money laundering case, to be examined by a Medical Board at AIIMS or JIPMER Hospital, Puducherry, to determine his present mental capacity to face criminal trial.

The Second Additional District Judge (CBI Cases), Madurai, S. Shunmugavel, after hearing the parties, said on seeing the activities of the respondent (Dhayanidhi Alagiri), especially attending a cricket match (IPL) at the stadium (M.A.Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai) and casting his vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election, exercising his constitutional right, the court feels there is no impediment to taking the medical test to determine his mental and physical ability to face the criminal trial before the court.

The appearance of the respondent before the Medical Board is necessary to update his medical and physical condition for facing the trial. JIPMER Hospital, Puducherry, is one of the reputed hospitals in India and it is run by the Government of India. There could be no influence by any of the parties to this case, the court said.

The Director of JIPMER Hospital is required to form the medical team constituting Chief Psychiatrist, Clinical Psychologist, Chief Neurologist and is required to submit the report from the medical team after getting the clinical examination as early as possible. The Director of JIPMER Hospital is requested to take a decision regarding the admission of the respondent/accused Dhayanidhi Alagiri in the Hospital if necessary, the court said.

After examining the respondent / accused Dhayanidhi Alagiri and after receiving the report from the medical board, the Director of JIPMER Hospital is required to send the report directly to the court in a sealed cover as early as possible. The respondent/ accused is directed to appear before the JIPMER Hospital as soon as he receives the information for medical test and co-operate, the court said.

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