Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court has ordered a comprehensive medical examination of a 60-year-old man after he was unable to properly respond to the court’s query as to whether he wanted to return to his live-in partner.The partner, a woman from Koba, has filed a habeas corpus petition seeking his custody. She alleged that the man’s sister had taken him home, saying he was not in good health. She also alleged that she was not being allowed to contact him.During the hearing, the court observed that there was no improvement in the man’s condition and noted that his responses to its queries were “very slow”.The man’s live-in partner and his sister continued to blame each other for his deteriorating health, but both agreed to the court’s suggestion that he be examined by experts at a govt hospital.A law officer from the health and family welfare department informed the court that the standing medical board at Civil Hospital would conduct a comprehensive medical examination of the man, including “physical, psychological and neurological assessments”, as well as evaluation for “substance abuse”.The court ordered, “If the standing medical board and Civil Hospital think it fit, they may carry out other tests as well.”The man’s sister agreed to bear his treatment expenses. The court also ordered the authorities to place before it a detailed report in a sealed cover.The HC also directed the petitioner, the man’s live-in partner, and his sister to file affidavits regarding his custody, and posted the matter for further hearing on July 15.
