Bhagalpur- The deteriorating health of undertrial prisoner and journalist Rupesh Kumar Singh, detained in Shaheed Jubba Sahani Central Jail, Bhagalpur in an NIA case (Case No.-19/22), has caused deep anxiety to his family. Rupesh, who has been in jail for the last three years, point to alarming levels, prompting his wife, Ipsa Shatakshi, to write a detailed letter to the IG (Prisons) demanding better facilities and his transfer to a more appropriate location.

Ipsa writes in the letter: "It is to be brought to your kind notice that during the three years of jail life, my husband has developed health issues like 'sinus' and also suffers from allergies. Because of this, every morning he has to deal with continuous sneezing and a runny nose, and this problem becomes severe when the weather changes. Although he has been shown to the jail hospital regarding this, no concrete treatment has been provided. In such a situation, warm water could provide some relief when needed.

My husband also has a problem of pulled nerves in his legs and sharp pain in his calves. This problem subsides somewhat with physical activities like sports and exercise. However, he has informed me that there are no sports facilities for cell inmates here. Whenever the pain increases, the jail hospital only gives him calcium medicine every time, but it is not providing relief. A Vitamin D test is essential for him, which has not been done so far. Since the thyroid test in the jail hospital is done from an outside lab, the prisoner has to pay for it, meaning the thyroid test is only possible at his own expense. He gave his sample for this test on 14th August."

Speaking with The Mooknayak, Ipsa informed that, the results of a full body check-up conducted on August 14 have further increased the family's concerns. The test report revealed that his VLDL Cholesterol is 125, while the normal level should be under 30. Similarly, his Serum Triglycerides level was found to be 519, whereas it should normally be under 150. According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, these levels are considered extremely alarming and indicate a serious risk of heart disease. The thyroid test report is still awaited.

The family has also alleged that clean drinking water is not available for inmates in the jail, raising suspicions of high arsenic and iron content in the water. The plaster of the cell room is peeling off, posing a risk of more problems during the monsoon season. Furthermore, there are no arrangements for sports or physical activities for cell inmates, exacerbating his health problems.

In her letterto the IG, Ipsa Shatakshi emphasized that Rupesh is an educated journalist connected to social causes, who continued his post-graduate studies through IGNOU even while in jail. However, being kept in a high-security cell and lacking essential facilities is hindering his educational and medical well-being. She has requested the jail administration to immediately transfer Rupesh Kumar Singh to a better medical facility and a safer environment to mitigate his serious health risks and ensure proper treatment. The family hopes the authorities will take prompt and appropriate action in this serious matter.