Sita Soren

Ranchi, March 15: JMM MLA Sita Soren was wheeled back into RIMS within hours of being discharged yesterday after complaining of chest pain on way to Birsa Munda Central Jail, the development coming weeks after a CBI special court pulled up the prison authorities for sending her to the hospital without its permission.

According to hospital officials, Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law, who surrendered in the 2012 Rajya Sabha election cash-for-vote case on February 25 but did not spend a single day behind bars as she was immediately sent to RIMS, was released around 1.30pm.

However, as she was being brought to Birsa jail, she complained of fresh chest pain and the security personnel accompanying her took her back to the hospital, where she has already undergone 16 days of treatment.

RIMS director Tulsi Mahto confirmed the readmission. “As far as I know, the patient was discharged. During the transfer to Birsa Munda Central Jail, she complained of chest pain and was brought back to RIMS. It is now our duty to re-examine her as she is a patient for us,” he said.

Probed further about her medical condition, he expressed inability to reveal anything more.

“I receive information through the unit in-charge and whatever I know, I have shared. All I can say is she is recovering and I don’t have any other information regarding her health,” Mahto said.

A hospital employee added that the Jama legislator was first taken to the emergency department and then shifted to the same cottage (No. 14) where she had been staying prior to her release.

“She was admitted under Dr J.K. Mitra, who was emergency in-charge of the day. But as the doctor did not have her case history, he has sought her medical documents from RIMS superintendent,” he added.

Surprisingly, Birsa jail superintendent D.K. Pradhan said he was not aware about Sita’s release from the hospital.

“She did not return to the jail and hence, I cannot say anything on the matter. I also don’t have any official information about her discharge,” Pradhan, who had faced flak from the CBI court for sending Durga Soren’s widow to RIMS on February 25, said.

The CBI court of R.K. Choudhary had also asked the RIMS director to explain Sita’s ailments.

On March 13, Mahto told the court that the Soren bahu was suffering from problems in the stomach, back and waist, but that she did not have any specific heart ailment.

He also said that she would be discharged from hospital once her treatment was over.