By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday strongly criticized the Indian Air Force's Command Hospital in Bengaluru for showing "utter disrespect" to the court while refusing to conduct a medical evaluation of Congress MLA Satish Sail, who is an accused in an illegal iron ore transportation and money laundering case linked to Belekeri port scam.
A single-judge bench of Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav expressed deep displeasure over an email sent by the Command Hospital, stating, "Command Hospital may be an all-India institution, but it cannot disrespect the court in this manner. There is no courtesy at all. How can they say that a court's request is not mandatory for them? This is not the way to respond."
The bench was hearing a petition filed by Karwar MLA Satish Sail challenging a special court order that cancelled his interim medical bail and issued a non-bailable warrant in a case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Background of the Case Sail had been granted interim medical bail for health reasons. The High Court had earlier directed him to undergo a fresh medical evaluation at the Command Hospital, Domlur, on November 13, 2025. However, the hospital refused to examine him and instead advised him to visit either a civil hospital or Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), claiming it was not the appropriate facility.
When Sail's counsel, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, submitted the Command Hospital's email response along with a memo, the court took strong exception to the tone and content of the email.
Court Extends Interim Bail The ED sought time to file its objections to the memo submitted by Sail's team. Taking note of this, Justice Yadav extended Sail's interim medical bail and posted the next hearing to November 28, 2025.
During the hearing:
- Sail's lawyer informed the court that BMCRI's report recommended a possible liver transplant for the MLA.
- Additional Solicitor General K. Aravind Kamath, appearing for the ED, clarified that the Command Hospital had not formally directed Sail to BMCRI but only suggested it, as the facility lacks a dedicated gastroenterology department.
- The court directed the ED to take a clear stand on the medical reports and the Command Hospital's refusal.
Strong Rebuke to Command Hospital The bench pulled up the hospital authorities, saying, "What kind of email is this? Is this how one responds when a court makes a request? There are better ways to respond. Saying 'we do not refer patients elsewhere' is unacceptable."
ASG Kamath also acknowledged the inappropriateness of the hospital's direct communication with the court and assured that concerned officials would be advised to exercise greater caution in future.
The court has effectively kept Sail on interim medical bail until the next date of hearing while the ED responds to the latest developments.
