Court questions Sujoykrishna Bhadra's health claims as pacemaker issue disputed in corruption case

Sujoykrishna Bhadra, a key accused in the ongoing primary recruitment corruption case, was hospitalized shortly before charges were to be framed against him. He was admitted to the hospital after reportedly falling "seriously ill." Bhadra is currently in the ICU of a private hospital near the Bypass, where his condition is described as critical but stable. His health has now become a significant point of focus in both the legal proceedings and the investigation.

The issue surrounding Bhadra’s health intensified after the CBI special court raised questions about his condition. On Thursday, the court inquired about Bhadra’s illness, prompting his lawyer to inform the court that Bhadra's pacemaker, implanted over 10 years ago, was no longer functioning because its battery had expired. This claim was a central part of the defense’s explanation for Bhadra's hospitalization and illness.

However, the medical reports from the hospital where Bhadra was first admitted contradicted this statement. The report, submitted by the hospital, clarified that there were no signs of heart-related issues in Bhadra's condition. The hospital also stated that the pacemaker was still in working order and had at least two and a half years of battery life remaining. As Bhadra required treatment for other health conditions, unrelated to heart disease, he was transferred to another private hospital that could provide specialized care.

Further tests were conducted at SSKM Hospital, where Bhadra was taken initially after his collapse. Sources from SSKM stated that the pacemaker was thoroughly examined during Bhadra’s unconscious state, and no issues were detected. The pacemaker, which was implanted in 2011 by St. Jude Medical, was found to be functioning properly. The tests at both SSKM and the private hospital confirmed that the pacemaker was operational, and there were no apparent defects.

Despite these findings, Bhadra's lawyer continues to insist that the pacemaker failure caused his condition, raising questions about the inconsistency in the medical reports. The cause of Bhadra's sudden unconsciousness remains unclear, as both the medical tests and the hospital reports indicate no issues with the pacemaker. The court continues to examine Bhadra’s health records as part of the investigation, and his medical status will remain under scrutiny as the corruption case progresses.