Murdered artist’s husband Chintan to get bedsheet in jail, but no cot

Thane prison authorities have told the Bombay high court that artist Chintan Upadhyay, accused of killing his estranged wife Chintan Upadhyay, will be provided with a dhurrie (rug), a pillow and a bed sheet

Thane prison authorities have told the Bombay high court that artist Chintan Upadhyay, accused of killing his estranged wife Hema Upadhyay, will be provided with a dhurrie (rug), a pillow and a bed sheet.

Hema Upadhyay Murder case accused Chintan Upadhyay being produced in a court, in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI)

The court was informed about this on Thursday, while prison officials were responding to an application filed by Chintan before the high court last week. The artist had sought a bed and a bed sheet for his prison cell because he reportedly suffered from chronic back pain and spondylitis.

The bodies of Hema, also an artist, and advocate Harish Bhambhani were found packed in cardboard cartons near a drain at Kandivali on December 12. Chintan was later arrested in this connection.

On Wednesday, the high court had asked Chintan’s counsel advocate – Nitin Pradhan – to produce relevant certificates in support of his medical claims.

The state government had initially objected to his plea, arguing that a medical examination conducted in police custody failed to detect any ailment of the kind. It later acceded to some of his demands, even though Pradhan failed to produce the medical certificates required.

While the authorities agreed to provide him with a bed sheet and a pillow, they rejected the request for a cot because the rules forbade making any such concession for prisoners. Instead, Chintan would have to manage with a rug made by other inmates at the Yerwada Jail.

The high court also directed prison authorities to ensure treatment for Chintan if he faced any medical issues.