In Brief
The State of U.P. challenged an order granting interim medical bail to Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, an accused in a serious sexual offence case (POCSO Act charges), who had received treatment in government hospitals including a super-specialty institute. The Supreme Court held that interim medical bail cannot be granted based merely on an accused's medical conditions or hospital treatments. The Court must find that prison medical care is inadequate and specific specialized treatment unavailable in prison is necessary. Here, the medical board confirmed treatment could continue at the jail hospital with specialist consultations. The High Court failed to record such findings. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and set aside the interim bail order, clarifying that all accused deserve humane treatment and proper medical care while in custody, but medical bail requires proof of treatment necessity outside prison."
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